ELECTRA IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Electra Daughter of Agamemnon in Greek Mythology
Electra was the daughter of King Agamemnon and Clytemnestra according to Greek mythology. Electra was a character often written about, and was often portrayed as a vengeful individual, helping to avenge the death of her father.
The family of Electra
Electra was the daughter of King Agamemnon of Mycenae and his wife Clytemnestra, thus, Electra was sister to Orestes, Iphigenia and Chrysothemis. Electra, as with all of her siblings, having been born before the events of the Trojan War.
Though, even before the fighting started at Troy, Electra lost one sibling, for Electra’s sister, Iphigenia, was said to have been offered up as a sacrifice at Aulis.
Though, even before the fighting started at Troy, Electra lost one sibling, for Electra’s sister, Iphigenia, was said to have been offered up as a sacrifice at Aulis.
The Death of Agamemnon
Electra comes to the fore though, after the end of the Trojan War, when Agamemnon, and his war prize, Cassandra returned to Mycenae.
Electra was not at home when her father returned, but she returned shortly afterwards, only to find that Agamemnon, and Cassandra, had been murdered by her mother Clytemnestra, and Clytemnestra’s lover, Aegisthus. |
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Recognising that Aegisthus would now see her brother, Orestes, as a threat, Electra, along with some loyal servants, whisked him away before he too could be killed. The youthful Orestes was whisked away to the kingdom of Strophius, where Orestes grew into adulthood alongside Strophius’ son, Pylades.
Electra in Mycenae
Electra remained in Mycenae, where she continued to mourn the loss of her father. Aegisthus might have sought to do harm to her, but Clytemnestra stayed his hand. Aegsithus though, was fearful that eventually Electra might give birth to a son, who would one day seek vengeance upon Aegisthus.
Some say that Electra was thus married off to a peasant many, whose son would not have the standing that might call for vengeance. In this case, it was said that the peasant did not have relations with Electra recognising the plight that she faced.
Others though state that Electra remained unwed in the palace of Mycenae, but Electra longed for the day when her father’s death might be avenged. For Electra saw it as a great crime committed by her mother, although Clytemnestra saw it as a just killing, for Agamemnon had killed their daughter, Iphiegnia.
Some say that Electra was thus married off to a peasant many, whose son would not have the standing that might call for vengeance. In this case, it was said that the peasant did not have relations with Electra recognising the plight that she faced.
Others though state that Electra remained unwed in the palace of Mycenae, but Electra longed for the day when her father’s death might be avenged. For Electra saw it as a great crime committed by her mother, although Clytemnestra saw it as a just killing, for Agamemnon had killed their daughter, Iphiegnia.
Electra's vengeanceIn the mean time Orestes grew into adulthood, and when 20 years of age, eh received a proclamation from the Oracle of Delphi, which Orestes took to mean that he was to kill his mother and Aegisthus.
Orestes though returned not at the head of an army, but came alone, aside from his friend Pylades. Orestes though did not come openly, but he came in disguise, and in fact he sought to ally all concerns by sending a messenger to proclaim that he had died. Such news though, meant that Electra now felt all alone, and now if vengeance was to come, it would have to come at her own hands. Electra went to pray at the tomb of Agamemnon, and there, Electra discovered Orestes offering up his own prayers. Relieved to find she was not alone, Electra and Orestes now plotted the death of their mother, |
Orestes would enter the palace carrying an urn which supposedly carried his ashes. Clytemnestra was thus taken by surprise, and Electra’s mother died at her son’s hands. Electra would encourage Orestes, although perhaps she inflicted no wounds herself.
Electra than lured Aegisthus into a trap, and he took was killed by Orestes and Pylades.
Electra than lured Aegisthus into a trap, and he took was killed by Orestes and Pylades.
The Punishment of ElectraFor the murder of his mother, Orestes would be pursued by the Erinyes, although such punishment was not given to Electra.
It was though said that both Orestes and Electra were sentenced to death by the Mycenaean people for the crime of matricide. Now Electra sought to call upon the protection of her uncle, Menelaus, but when it was not forthcoming, Electra sought a new plan, which involved killing Helen, and abducting Hermione, although this plan came to nothing. Electra though feared that she had once again lost her brother, for news came to Mycenae that Orestes had been killed in Tauris. Electra travelled to Delphi to seek guidance, but there, she was falsely told that a woman who stood nearby was the murderer of her brother. Thus, Electra took up a weapon, but before she could harm the woman, the very much alive Orestes appeared, and the woman was revealed to be Electra’s sister Iphigenia. So rather than losing a brother, Electra had re-found a sister. |
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Electra Marries
Orestes would, once free of the Erinyes, reclaim his father’s throne, and greatly expanded the kingdom. Orestes would then find a suitable husband for Electra, in the form of his friend, Pylades.
After the marriage of Electra to Pylades, little more is said about the daughter of Agamemnon. It was commonly said that Electra gave birth to two sons, Medon and Strophious, though there is nothing said about these two sons, nor is there a record of the death of Electra.
After the marriage of Electra to Pylades, little more is said about the daughter of Agamemnon. It was commonly said that Electra gave birth to two sons, Medon and Strophious, though there is nothing said about these two sons, nor is there a record of the death of Electra.
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Colin Quartermain - Electra - 20th February 2020