Megapenthes of Sparta

In Greek mythology, Megapenthes (/ˌmɛɡəˈpɛnˌθiːz/; Ancient Greek: Μεγαπένθης Megapénthēs), a Spartan prince and son of Menelaus.

Mythology

Megapenthes ruled after his father's death and sent his mother (or step-mother) Helen into exile.[1] In some legends, Helen was his mother; in most, however, he was Menelaus's son by a concubine, Pieris or Tereis,[2][3] and was born during the Trojan War. His name means "great sorrow" and he is named that because he was conceived while Menelaus was grieving the loss of Helen.

He marries the daughter of Alector in the beginning of Book IV of The Odyssey, whose name was Iphiloche or Echemela.[4]

At the death of their father, Megapenthes and his brother or half-brother Nicostratus[5][6] together seized the throne of Sparta and drove Helen out. They were depicted on the throne in Amyclae riding the same horse.[7]
Notes

Pausanias, Graeciae Descriptio 3.19.9
Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3.11.1
Pausanias, Graeciae Descriptio 2.18.6
Homer, Odyssey 4.10
Pausanias, Graeciae Descriptio 2.18.6 calls Megapenthes and Nicostratus sons of a slave woman
according to Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca 3.11.1 Nicostratus is the son of Helen

Pausanias, Graeciae Descriptio 3.18.3 & 3.19.9

References

Homer, The Odyssey with an English Translation by A.T. Murray, PH.D. in two volumes. Cambridge, MA., Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann, Ltd. 1919. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library. Greek text available from the same website.
Pausanias, Description of Greece with an English Translation by W.H.S. Jones, Litt.D., and H.A. Ormerod, M.A., in 4 Volumes. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1918. Online version
Pausanias, Graeciae Descriptio. 3 vols. Leipzig, Teubner. 1903. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
Pseudo-Apollodorus, The Library with an English Translation by Sir James George Frazer, F.B.A., F.R.S. in 2 Volumes, Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1921. ISBN 0-674-99135-4. . Greek text .

Greek Mythology

See also : Greek Mythology. Paintings, Drawings

Mythology Images

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M -
N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

Α - Β - Γ - Δ - Ε - Ζ - Η - Θ - Ι - Κ - Λ - Μ -
Ν - Ξ - Ο - Π - Ρ - Σ - Τ - Υ - Φ - Χ - Ψ - Ω