HIPPODAMIA (wife of Pelops)
Figure of myth · Greek mythical character, daughter of Oenomaus and wife of Pelops
- Parents
- Oenomaus, Evarete, Eurythoe
- Consorts
- Pelops
- Children
- Atreus, Thyestes, Pittheus, Alcathous, Troezen, Copreus, Pleisthenes, Lysidice, Nicippe, Dimoetes, Astydameia, Aelius and 7 more
- In the sources
- 10 ancient passages
Hippodamia, the maiden of Pisa, was the daughter of Oenomaus, the king of that region, and Evarete or Eurythoe.1,2,3 When she saw Pelops, his eyes shone with a charm that compelled love, making her glow.4,5 A hero from Phrygia once embraced her, yet she was the consort of Pelops.6
Oenomaus offered Hippodamia's hand in marriage as a prize to his suitors, requiring them to carry her on their chariots during the race.7 Some accounts claim an oracle warned Oenomaus he would die by her husband, prompting him to kill the men who sought to marry his daughter.2 He overtook these suitors while pursuing them to the Isthmus of Corinth.7 Oenomaus cut off the heads of the slain suitors and nailed them to his house, and some accounts state that he killed twelve men in this manner.7
Hippodamia convinced Myrtilus to assist Pelops in his pursuit of her.4 Pelops won Hippodamia by brandishing an old spear in his hand and killed Oenomaus in the process.1 Later, Hippodamia informed Pelops about Myrtilus's attempt to assault her.8 Polydectes used a wedding gift for her as a pretext to gather friends.3
The codex facts behind this entry
Hippodamia is identified as the daughter of Oenomaus. Apollodorus 2.4.2 +2
In the myths
Hippodamia developed romantic feelings for Pelops after seeing his attractive appearance, describing how his eyes shine with a charm that compels love and makes her glow. Apollodorus, Epitome 2.6 +1
