Introduction paragraph

PELOPS

Pelops was the son of Tantalus who was killed and butchered. After his revival he was made king of Siplyus. He is celebrated as being the legendary founder of the Pelopid dynasty at Mycenae in the Greek Peloponnese, which was probably named for him. His reign was largely uneventful and peaceful when in consideration of his two sons, Arteus (for whom the lineage is named) and Thystes’ reigns. Pelops best known myth (apart from the myth depicting his death by his fathers hand) is one depicting a chariot race he took place in to win the hand of his wife. He is remebered as a good, and strong king. There is also another version of the myth of Tantalus' where Pelops absence is caused Poseidon taking him to Olympos rather than his father killing him. In this version of the myth Poseidon and Pelops were lovers, and the myth of the feast was mearly rumour to explain his disappearance. Tantalus' was punished for stealing from the gods in this version.

The myth of the chariot race

Pelops' wife was Hippodamia, the princess of Pisa. Hippodamia's father, Oenomaus, was known for having an Incestuous love for his daughter, and had killed every man, at this point 13, who had tried to win her hand. When Pelops asked to marry Hippodamia Oenomaus challanged him to a chariot race, with the conditon being death if he lost. There are different versions of the actual races events, but everyone involves Pelops chating. In one version Pelops uses his favour with Poseidon to convince the god to help him cheat in the race, while in another he convinces Oenomaus' charioteer, Myrtilus, a son of Hermes to betray his master. In this version Pelops throws Myrtilus of a cliff to keep him quiet, and Myrtilus as he falls is the one who utters the curse which plauges Pelops' family. After marrying Hippodamia he become king of Pisa.

Facts about Pelops

The "E" in his name can be pronouced with a short e as in pet, or a long e like in peace. The "o" is always pronouced with the "ah" sound in "hot".
His name means "dark eye" or "dark face".
The myth of Pelops' chariot race is featured by many classical writers, but the most known telling is by Pindar, who also wrote on Tantalus.
Pelops' list of kids is much longer than just Atreus and Thyestes, and includes: Daughters named Astydameia, Nicippe, Lysidice, Mytilene, and Eurydice; and sons Pittheus, Alcathous, Troezen, Hippalcimus, Copreus, Dias and Hippasus.
In some version Pelops' killed Myrtilus for trying to rape Hippodamia.
Pelops also had a son called Chrysippus with a nymph called Axioche.
While there are many different versions, every one has Pelops' son Chrysippus dying a tragic fate. Most commonly at the hands of Atreus and Thyestes, or due to suicide.
Pelops had a shoulder made of ivory due to his father butchering him as a child.

Go back to the house.