Adrastus (mythology)

CreatureGreece · Southern EuropeLegendFear 7/10

Description

A creature from the folklore of Greece. In Greek mythology Adrastus or Adrestus (Ancient Greek: Ἄδραστος or Ἄδρηστος), (perhaps meaning…

Origin & Background

In Greek mythology, Adrastus (Ἄδραστος or Ἄδρηστος) is known as the king of Argos and the leader of the Seven Warriors against Thebes. He is the son of Thalassus, the king of Argos, but had to leave Argos due to his rival Amphiaraus. He fled to Sicyon, where he became king. Later, he reconciled with Amphiaraus and returned to Argos to become king.

The Legend

According to the oracle's prophecy, Adrastus married his daughters to the exiles Polynices and Tydeus, promising to return them to their homeland. He organized a great army leading seven champions to place Polynices on the throne of Thebes, but this expedition ended in failure, and all the champions except Adrastus were killed. Adrastus was saved by the divine horse, Arion. He achieved success in the second war against Thebes with the sons of the seven warriors, the Epigoni, and it is said that he died on the way home.

Variants

Earlier texts convey various stories of Adrastus, particularly in Aeschylus's 'Seven Against Thebes,' where the number 'seven' and their names are first specified. Adrastus participated in the battle but was not considered one of the 'seven' by Aeschylus. The same list of names appears in Euripides's 'The Suppliants' and Sophocles's 'Oedipus at Colonus,' but in Euripides's 'Phoenician Women,' Adrastus is included as one of the 'seven.'

In Popular Culture

Adrastus appears as a major character in Euripides's tragedy 'The Suppliants,' which deals with the events following the disaster of the Seven Warriors against Thebes. Adrastus seeks help from Theseus, the king of Athens, to recover the bodies of the warriors.

This article is based on the Wikipedia article "Adrastus" (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikipedia