NICIPPE IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Nicippe was a queen of Mycenae and Tiryns, as identified by tales of Greek mythology. Nicippe is today most famous as being the mother of Eurystheus.
Nicippe Daughter of Pelops
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Nicippe was the daughter of Pelops, the man who had, when a young child, been served as a meal for Zeus by Tantalus; the mother of Nicippe being Hippodamia, daughter of King Oenomaus.
Pelops had perhaps cursed his family line by the method which he had come to marry Hippodamia, for it had involved the killing of Hippodamia’s father. |
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Nicippe had many siblings including the likes of Atreus and Thyestes.
Nicippe would marry Sthenelus, son of Perseus and Andromeda. Sthenelus would become King of Mycenae and Tiryns, when he banished Amphitryon and Alcmene, after the accidental death of Electryon.
Nicippe would marry Sthenelus, son of Perseus and Andromeda. Sthenelus would become King of Mycenae and Tiryns, when he banished Amphitryon and Alcmene, after the accidental death of Electryon.
Nicippe and the Birth of Eurystheus
The most famous story of Nicippe relates to the time when Nicippe was pregnant via her husband
Zeus made a proclamation that the boy born of the line of Perseus the next day would rule Mycenae; Zeus meant that the unborn son of Alcmene would rule, but Hera had other ideas.
Alcmene was pregnant with Zeus’ son, but also pregnant was Nicippe, by Sthenelaus. Hera thus had Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth, hold back Alcmene’s pregnancy, whilst bringing forth Nicippe’s
Nicippe thus gave birth to a boy named Eurystheus, after a gestation period of just seven months. Being a descendant of Perseus through his father, Zeus proclamation thus came true, for the son of Nicippe would become King of Mycenae and Tiryns, and the arch-adversary
Despite being a Perseid, Eurystheus was also regarded as a Pelopides, via Nicippe, causing consternation about the usurpation of Perseus’ line.
Zeus made a proclamation that the boy born of the line of Perseus the next day would rule Mycenae; Zeus meant that the unborn son of Alcmene would rule, but Hera had other ideas.
Alcmene was pregnant with Zeus’ son, but also pregnant was Nicippe, by Sthenelaus. Hera thus had Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth, hold back Alcmene’s pregnancy, whilst bringing forth Nicippe’s
Nicippe thus gave birth to a boy named Eurystheus, after a gestation period of just seven months. Being a descendant of Perseus through his father, Zeus proclamation thus came true, for the son of Nicippe would become King of Mycenae and Tiryns, and the arch-adversary
Despite being a Perseid, Eurystheus was also regarded as a Pelopides, via Nicippe, causing consternation about the usurpation of Perseus’ line.
Other Children of Nicippe
Eurystheus was not the only child born to Nicippe, for her, and Sthenelus, also had two daughters, Alcyone and Astymedusa.
Some name Astymedusa as one of Oedipus’ later wives; whilst, Alcyone was perhaps once rescued by her brother’s enemy, Heracles, when a centaur named Homadus attempted to rape her.
Some name Astymedusa as one of Oedipus’ later wives; whilst, Alcyone was perhaps once rescued by her brother’s enemy, Heracles, when a centaur named Homadus attempted to rape her.
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Colin Quartermain - Nicippe - 12th April 2026