Harpalyce (mythology)
Encyclopedia
In Greek mythology
, Harpalyce—harpax- "snatcher" and lyke "she-wolf"— is a name attributed to two women whose myths both embody an incest
uous father and a vengeful feast in which a child is killed and served up.
of Arcadia
, son of Schoeneus
(first version) or of Teleus of Argos
(second version). Clymenus was overcome with passion for his daughter. There are several versions of what happened next.
In the first version Clymenus, son of Schoeneus, rapes his daughter and she becomes pregnant. When the son was born she serves him up as a meal at a banquet, to his father. Her father killed her. In an alternative version of this tale, she was instead transformed into a bird, the Calchis (see second version below).
In the second version Harpalyce is the daughter of Clymenus son of Teleus of Argos, and of Epicasta, and she has two brothers: Idas and Therager. Clymenus is overcome with passion for his daughter and secretly embarks on an affair with her that lasts for some time. Finally, Alastor
, descendant of Neleus
, came to claim Harpalyce as his wife, she having been betrothed to him since she was young. When the couple were halfway to their home, Clymenus abducted her back and lived with her openly as his wife. Harpalyce, being upset by father's treatment of her, killed her younger brother and served him up to his father at a banquet. She then prayed to the gods and was transformed into a bird called the Calchis. Clymenus took his own life.
, king of the Amymnei in Thrace
. Her mother died and her father suckled her from the teats of heifers and mares. He trained her as a warrior, intending for her to succeed him as ruler. When Neoptolemus
, returning from Troy
, attacked Harpalycus and severely wounded him, his daughter retaliated, putting the enemy to flight and saving her father. Later Harpalycus died when his people rebelled. After her father's death Harpalyce took to plundering herds of cattle; eventually she was killed by a group of herdsmen.
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
, Harpalyce—harpax- "snatcher" and lyke "she-wolf"— is a name attributed to two women whose myths both embody an incest
Incest
Incest is sexual intercourse between close relatives that is usually illegal in the jurisdiction where it takes place and/or is conventionally considered a taboo. The term may apply to sexual activities between: individuals of close "blood relationship"; members of the same household; step...
uous father and a vengeful feast in which a child is killed and served up.
Harpalyce, daughter of Clymeneus
Harpalyce is the daughter of King ClymenusClymenus
In Greek mythology, Clymenus may refer to any number of individuals:*Clymenus was the father of Eurydice.*Clymenus was the son of King Oeneus of Calydon and Althaea. He was killed while battling the Curetes....
of Arcadia
Arcadia
Arcadia is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the administrative region of Peloponnese. It is situated in the central and eastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. It takes its name from the mythological character Arcas. In Greek mythology, it was the home of the god Pan...
, son of Schoeneus
Schoeneus
In Greek mythology, Schoeneus was the name of several individuals:#Schoeneus was a Boeotian king, the son of Athamas and Themisto. He was the father of Atalanta by Clymene.#Schoeneus was the son of Autonous and Hippodamia...
(first version) or of Teleus of Argos
Argos
Argos is a city and a former municipality in Argolis, Peloponnese, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Argos-Mykines, of which it is a municipal unit. It is 11 kilometres from Nafplion, which was its historic harbour...
(second version). Clymenus was overcome with passion for his daughter. There are several versions of what happened next.
In the first version Clymenus, son of Schoeneus, rapes his daughter and she becomes pregnant. When the son was born she serves him up as a meal at a banquet, to his father. Her father killed her. In an alternative version of this tale, she was instead transformed into a bird, the Calchis (see second version below).
In the second version Harpalyce is the daughter of Clymenus son of Teleus of Argos, and of Epicasta, and she has two brothers: Idas and Therager. Clymenus is overcome with passion for his daughter and secretly embarks on an affair with her that lasts for some time. Finally, Alastor
Alastor
Alastor can refer to a number of people and concepts related to Greek mythology:...
, descendant of Neleus
Neleus
Neleus was the son of Poseidon and Tyro and brother of Pelias. Tyro was married to Cretheus but loved Enipeus, a river god. She pursued Enipeus, who refused her advances. One day, Poseidon, filled with lust for Tyro, disguised himself as Enipeus and from their union was born Pelias and Neleus,...
, came to claim Harpalyce as his wife, she having been betrothed to him since she was young. When the couple were halfway to their home, Clymenus abducted her back and lived with her openly as his wife. Harpalyce, being upset by father's treatment of her, killed her younger brother and served him up to his father at a banquet. She then prayed to the gods and was transformed into a bird called the Calchis. Clymenus took his own life.
Harpalyce, daughter of Harpalycus
Harpalyce is the daughter of HarpalykosHarpalykos
Harpalycus was king of the Amymnei in Thrace. He is the father of Harpalyce. His wife died when giving birth to his daughter. He raised her with the milk of cows and mares and trained her as he would a man. Neoptolemus, returning from Troy, attacked Harpalycus and severely wounded him, his daughter...
, king of the Amymnei in Thrace
Thrace
Thrace is a historical and geographic area in southeast Europe. As a geographical concept, Thrace designates a region bounded by the Balkan Mountains on the north, Rhodope Mountains and the Aegean Sea on the south, and by the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara on the east...
. Her mother died and her father suckled her from the teats of heifers and mares. He trained her as a warrior, intending for her to succeed him as ruler. When Neoptolemus
Neoptolemus
Neoptolemus was the son of the warrior Achilles and the princess Deidamia in Greek mythology. Achilles' mother foretold many years before Achilles' birth that there would be a great war. She saw that her only son was to die if he fought in the war...
, returning from Troy
Troy
Troy was a city, both factual and legendary, located in northwest Anatolia in what is now Turkey, southeast of the Dardanelles and beside Mount Ida...
, attacked Harpalycus and severely wounded him, his daughter retaliated, putting the enemy to flight and saving her father. Later Harpalycus died when his people rebelled. After her father's death Harpalyce took to plundering herds of cattle; eventually she was killed by a group of herdsmen.