ORESTES (son of Agamemnon, avenger of his father)
Hero · son of Agamemnon in Greek mythology
- Parents
- Agamemnon, Clytemnestra
- Siblings
- Electra, Iphigenia, Chrysothemis, Iphianassa, Laodice
- Consorts
- Hermione, Erigone
- Children
- Tisamenus, Penthilus
- Allies
- Pylades
- Haunts and cult places
- Argos, Mycenae, Sparta
- In the sources
- 243 ancient passages
In Godsunder
At the height of their saga. Heroes begin the campaign weaker and grow with every deed.
- Might14
- Grace10
- Vigour10
- Wits14
- Spirit18
- Spine-Breaking Thrust. Orestes struck Aegisthus on the spine, breaking his back-bone. Euripides, Electra 819-858
- Apollo's Command. Apollo instructed Orestes to use the bow to ward off the goddesses. Euripides, Orestes 253-279
Orestes is the mortal son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 225-263 +33 Orestes is the brother of Iphigenia. Euripides, Iphigenia Among the Tauri 1153-1202 +6 Orestes claims his noble birth is a significant point in his favor and is described as the hope of the household. Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 766-782 +1
In the myths
Orestes killed his mother Clytemnestra with a sword, stabbing her in the throat. Aeschylus, Eumenides 276-298 +10 Orestes killed his mother in revenge for her murder of his father, acting on the command of Apollo. Aeschylus, Eumenides 566-606 +8 Orestes killed Aegisthus, who had murdered his father Agamemnon. Euripides, Electra 747-773 +6 Orestes killed his mother to avenge the murder of his father Agamemnon. Euripides, Electra 1060-1099 +6 Orestes killed his mother by stabbing her throat with a sword, an act he describes as both bitter and sweet and which caused him sorrow and pollution. Euripides, Electra 1221-1226 +4 Orestes killed his mother, an act that Electra assisted by holding the sword. Euripides, Electra 1177-1189 +3 Orestes killed his mother, fled, and was tried for the act. Pausanias 1.28.5 +3 The Furies pursued Orestes across the earth and sea, tracking him by the scent of his blood, to hunt him down for his mother's crimes. Aeschylus, Eumenides 213-253 +3 Orestes prays to Zeus for help in avenging his father's murder and defeating his enemies. Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 1-21 +3 Orestes plans to take vengeance on Menelaus by threatening to kill his daughter and wife, set fire to the palace, and sacrifice the girl on the fire if Menelaus does not leave or if the Argives do not intervene. Euripides, Orestes 1155-1203 +3
Fate
Orestes is described as an ill-starred individual who is hated by the gods for his actions. Euripides, Orestes 507-543 +1 Orestes was expected to return home and take revenge on Aegisthus and Clytemnestra once he grew up. Aeschylus, Agamemnon 1617-1648 +1 Orestes asks Athena to be his deliverer from distress and accepts whatever judgment or outcome she decides for him. Aeschylus, Eumenides 276-298 +1 Orestes is an exile who barely escaped being killed by his mother, Clytemnestra, and has suffered the same fate as she did. Euripides, Orestes 470-506 +1
