STHENELUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY

Sthenelus in Greek Mythology

In Greek mythology, Sthenelus was a King of Mycenae and Tiryns, a son of Perseus, and the father of Eurystheus. 

Sthenelus Son of Perseus

Sthenelus was the son of the famous Greek hero Perseus, and his wife, Andromeda; Sthenelus thus had seven siblings, Alcaeus, Cynurus, Electryon, Gorgophone, Heleus, Mestor, and Perses.
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Sthenelus would be born in the city of Mycenae, city founded by Perseus, when Perseus had become king of Tiryns; Perseus having exchanged the kingdom of Argos for Tiryns, with Megapenthes. 

Sthenelus and the Death of Electryon

The kingdom of Tiryns and Mycenae would pass from Perseus to Sthenelus’ brother Electryon. Electryon would have no male heirs, for his legitimate sons were killed fighting the sons of Pterelaus, King of the Taphians. 
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Electryon though did have a daughter, Alcmene, who was courted by Amphitryon, and so potentially Amphitryon would become heir of Electryon. Amphitryon would gain favour with Electryon for he retrieved the king’s stolen cattle, but disaster would befall Amphitryon, for when he threw a club to keep the cattle in check, it rebounded off the cow, hitting Electryon on the head, killing him. 

Sthenelus seized the moment, by proclaiming himself king of Tiryns and Mycenae, and banishing Amphitryon and Alcmene for the crime of killing the king; thus, Sthenelus managed to rid himself of a rival to the throne.

Sthenelus Father of Eurystheus

Sthenelus would marry Nicippe, daughter of Pelops and Hippodamia; and Sthenelus would become father to two daughters, Alcyone and Medusa, and a son Eurystheus. 

The birth of Sthenelus’ son, Eurystheus, is a famous event in Greek mythology, for Zeus made the proclamation that the descendent of Perseus due to be born on the given day, would become a powerful king of Mycenae.

Zeus was referring to the soon to be born son of Alcmene, Heracles, but Hera intervened, delaying the birth of Aclmene’s son, whilst inducing the birth of Sthenelus’ son, for both were Perseids, though, Eurystheus was also a Pelopide, a descendant of Pelops.

Sthenelus would be succeeded as king of Mycenae and Tiryns by his son Eurystheus. There is some suggestion that Sthenelus was killed by Hyllus, a son of Heracles, potentially during the efforts of the Heraclids to retake the kingdoms of the Peloponnese that they viewed as their birthright, though reports of the death of Sthenelus are not widely reported. 

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Colin Quartermain - Sthenelus - 23rd January 2020