KING TYNDAREUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Tyndareus was a legendary king of Greek mythology and the king who instigated the Oath of Tyndareus, a key aspect of the Trojan War.
The story of Tyndareus is only really defined when his story intertwines with that of Agamemnon and Menelaus, and is a confused one before and afterwards.
The story of Tyndareus is only really defined when his story intertwines with that of Agamemnon and Menelaus, and is a confused one before and afterwards.
The Lineage of Tyndareus
Even the parentage of Tyndareus is confused with some ancient sources stating that he was the son of Perieres, the king of Messene, and Gorgophone, the daughter of Perseus. Others though claim that he was the son of Oebalus, King of Sparta, by either Gorgophone, or the Naiad nymph Bateia.
No matter the parentage, Tyndareus was said to have a number of siblings, and step-siblings, including Icarius and Hippocoon.
No matter the parentage, Tyndareus was said to have a number of siblings, and step-siblings, including Icarius and Hippocoon.
Tyndareus ExiledHippocoon was the heir to the throne of Sparta, but when he ascended to the throne, Hippocoon decided to solidify his position by sending the potential rivals, Tyndareus and Icarius, into exile. Others state that it was Tyndareus who became king, but was overthrown by Hippocoon and his sons.
Tyndareus would find sanctuary in Aetolia, where he was welcomed by King Thestius. |
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Other states also claimed that Tyndareus was a welcome guest in their nations, including Laconia, where Tyndareus was said to have stayed in Pellana, and also Aphareus in Messenia, also claimed the exile as a guest.
Tyndareus Crowned King of Sparta
In Aetolia though, Tyndareus was said to have assisted Thestius with his wars against his neighbours; and in gratitude Thestius gave Tyndareus the hand of his daughter, Leda, in marriage.
Life for Tyndareus continued to get better as well, for soon he was to become King of Sparta. Hippocoon had refused to absolve Heracles following the death of Iphitos, prince of Oechalia.
An angered Heracles then killed Hippocoon, and went to war with the 20 sons of Hippocoon, for this or another reason. All the sons of Hippocoon would die in the war, and Heracles placed Tyndareus onto the throne.
Life for Tyndareus continued to get better as well, for soon he was to become King of Sparta. Hippocoon had refused to absolve Heracles following the death of Iphitos, prince of Oechalia.
An angered Heracles then killed Hippocoon, and went to war with the 20 sons of Hippocoon, for this or another reason. All the sons of Hippocoon would die in the war, and Heracles placed Tyndareus onto the throne.
The Children of Tyndareus
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Tyndareus is arguably most famous for his offspring, or his offspring and those that he raised as his own children.
Famously, Leda, the wife of Tyndareus slept with her husband, and Zeus, on the same night; Zeus having approached Leda in the form of a swan. From this one night came forth four children; nominally Helen and Pollox (Polydeuces) were considered the children of Zeus, and Clytemnestra and Castor, were said to be the children of Tyndareus. Other children born to Tyndareus and Leda were also said to be the daughters Phylone and Timandra. |
Leda with their children - Giampietrino - PD-art-100
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Phylone would later be made immortal by Artemis, for the Spartan princess was one of the goddesses’ attendants. Timandra married the Arcadian king Echemus.
Castor and Pollox would have their own adventures as noted Greek heroes; they were even at one point tasked by Tyndareus to retrieve Helen from Athens, after she had been abducted by Theseus.
Tyndareus would marry his daughter Clytemnestra to Agamemnon, the Mycenaean prince who during his exile, alongside his brother Menelaus, had found sanctuary in Sparta. Some sources though do claim that Clytemnestra had been married previously to Tantalus, son of Broteas, before Tantalus was killed by Agamemnon.
Castor and Pollox would have their own adventures as noted Greek heroes; they were even at one point tasked by Tyndareus to retrieve Helen from Athens, after she had been abducted by Theseus.
Tyndareus would marry his daughter Clytemnestra to Agamemnon, the Mycenaean prince who during his exile, alongside his brother Menelaus, had found sanctuary in Sparta. Some sources though do claim that Clytemnestra had been married previously to Tantalus, son of Broteas, before Tantalus was killed by Agamemnon.
Tyndareus and the Suitors of Helen
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Helen though was now of age though, and regarded across the ancient world as the most beautiful mortal woman, Tyndareus let it be known that potential suitors could present themselves in Sparta.
The trouble though was that soon dozens of the most famous eligible males of Ancient Greece were in Sparta, all vying for the hand of Helen. These individuals included the likes of Menelaus, Diomedes, Ajax the Greater, Odysseus, Philoctetes and Teucer. Gifts were brought but Tyndareus refused to accept them, for the king of Sparta realised that if he was now to choose one of the suitors in preference for another, bloodshed and animosity was likely to follow. The Oath of TyndareusThis was when the Oath of Tyndareus was instigated, probably when Odysseus had suggested the idea to the Spartan king.
Tyndareus had each of the potential swear an oath to protect the chosen suitor from any wrong done against him. In this way, none of the suitors could harm the chosen one, and bloodshed would be avoided. After all the suitors of Helen had taken the Oath of Tyndareus, Menelaus was chosen to be the husband of Helen; although whether Helen or Tyndareus made the choice is different depending upon the ancient source being read. |
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Tyndareus Abdicates
At one point, Tyndareus had aided Agamemnon and Menelaus in the retrieving the throne of Mycenae, for Tyndareus led a large Spartan army against Myceneae, forcing Thyestes to step aside, and so Agamemnon became king of Mycenae, with Clytemnestra as his queen.
By this time, the sons of Tyndareus, Castor and Pollox, had left the mortal realm, and so Tyndareus made Menelaus his heir, and then abdicated, making Menelaus the new king of Sparta, with Helen as his queen.
The story of Tyndareus, and that of Leda are generally considered to stop at this point, for in most ancient sources neither are spoken of again; and thus it is generally assumed that both were deceased by the time of Trojan War.
By this time, the sons of Tyndareus, Castor and Pollox, had left the mortal realm, and so Tyndareus made Menelaus his heir, and then abdicated, making Menelaus the new king of Sparta, with Helen as his queen.
The story of Tyndareus, and that of Leda are generally considered to stop at this point, for in most ancient sources neither are spoken of again; and thus it is generally assumed that both were deceased by the time of Trojan War.
The Story of Tyndareus Continues?
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Some sources though do comment on how Tyndareus was still alive during, and after the Trojan War.
In this storyline, Tyndareus is in despair with his family line, for on some level he blames Helen for going to Troy, blames Clytemnestra for taking a lover during her husband’s absence, finds the actions of Clytemnestra in killing Agamemnon undefendable, and feels that the retribution of Orestes subsequently was even worse. |
The Remorse of Orestes - William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905) - PD-art-100
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Thus it was Tyndareus who sought the punishment of Orestes, and although this initially meant the death penalty, Orestes was ultimately exiled, before he was put on trial by the gods, and ultimately acquitted.
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Colin Quartermain - Tyndareus - 5th October 2016