POLYDORA OF PHTHIA IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Polydora in Greek MythologyThe name of Polydora is a common one in Greek mythology, with one such character so named, being a princess of Phthia.
Polydora of Phthia was a daughter of Peleus and Antigone; Peleus having been welcomed to Phthia by Polydora’s grandfather Eurytion. Eurytion had given a third of his kingdom and his daughter to Peleus, when Peleus had arrived in exile from Aegina. Polydora’s childhood would not be an easy one though, for Peleus would be exiled from Phthia after he accidentally killed his father-in-law during the Calydonian Hunt, whilst Polydora’s mother would commit suicide due to the intrigue of Astydaemia of Iolcus; Antigone having received a letter that said Peleus was to leave her, and marry instead a daughter of Acastus. Polydora though would grow up into a beautiful maiden, and when of age, Borus, son of Perieres King of Messene, came with a huge dowry in order to marry her. Polydora was named as mother of a son, but it was not the son of Borus, for it was said that she consorted with Spercheus, the Potamoi of the Phthian river. This relationship was said to have brought forth a son, Menesthius, who would later become one of the leaders of the Myrmidons during the Trojan War. |
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Colin Quartermain - Polydora of Phthia - 1st August 2021