This new myth away from Danaides is the tale out of 50 ladies who to go a horrible wrongdoing: guided by its dad, they all destroy its husbands to their matrimony evening! This excellent massacre are unbelievable, even for new bloody ancient greek myths. It had been a crime that each other some body and you can gods create punish. Actually, the brand new Danaides was penalized because of it immediately following the passing which have a horrible and eternal torment.
The story of Danaides begins with this new rivalry within dual sons away from Belus, new queen regarding Egypt. Belus are considered good descendant regarding Io, a great princess away from Argos exactly who resided a lot of the lady existence from inside the Egypt. Belus got a couple of sons, Danaus and Aegyptus. Whenever Belus died, the guy ordered Danaus queen of Libya and you may Aegyptus, queen out-of Arabia. The two brothers got regular rivalries over the kingdoms and in which trying one get the other’s property.
The most fascinating facts in the such brothers is their progeny. New advantageous site myth claims that Danaus got 50 girl, referred to as Danaides, from five more lady, if you are Aegyptus had fifty sons. The brilliant Aegyptus wished to get their sons hitched into the Danaides. To possess Aegyptus, these types of fifty marriages checked just like the a straightforward route to receive the features out of Danaus. Danaus in the near future know the plan out-of his brother and wasn’t ready to throw in the towel his beautiful daughters so you’re able to their freaky nephews. Guided by gods rather than about to bring about a combat among them, the guy decided to bring their empire so you can their aunt and leave the world searching for some other lifetime. Danaus centered a watercraft with fifty oars and you may fled to Greece together with 50 girl.
Coming in into the Argos
They first made a stop for the Rhodes, in which they depending Lindos town and you may dependent a temple in order to deity Athena Lindia. Next, Danaus and his awesome girl hit Argos, brand new birthplace from his great-grand-mother, the fresh new Argian princess Io. The minute the guy stepped off the motorboat, the guy decided to go to Gelanoras, this new king of one’s city, and recommended getting because of the throne, for he was the rightful heir, as descendent out of Io. In the event the people of Argos were planning to favor the queen, a beneficial wolf joined the metropolis and tore a bull into pieces. Individuals out of Argos grabbed that it as indicative and you will chose Danaus as their king.
The new terrible crime
Danaus governed Argos for many years and is actually top a peaceful lifetime right up until one day a foreign boat came. Their sibling, Aegyptus, had sent their fifty sons to obtain Danaus and try to control their the fresh new kingdom. In the future the brand new sons regarding Aegyptus presented themselves on palace and you may questioned again so you’re able to get married the latest Danaides. The fresh new climax of your own story begins here. Danaus failed to wanted one their stunning and you will successful Argos endure since the of a war. That have few other option, the guy arranged on relationships and you may planned a low-profile marriage party. He generated a key want to dump Aegyptus and you will his sons forever. Up until the marriage, the guy presented all of his daughters a great dagger and you will trained her or him to kill its husbands within wedding evening.
Every his girl was required to follow their dad, just like the disobeying towards moms and dads is an effective wrongdoing throughout the ancient world. They indeed killed its bridegrooms and buried its minds in Lerma, a city that have lakes in southern Argos. Only one of female, Hypermnestra, didn’t to go this horrible offense. She felt shame on her husband, Lynceus, and spared their lifetime. Definitely, Danaus lead the girl in front of the Argos courtroom. Yet not, Aphrodite, the new deity regarding love, intervened and you may spared the girl out of abuse. Lynceus, the only real survivor of your own fifty sons from Aegyptus, afterwards killed Danaus in order to payback to have their brothers. Lynceus and you will Hypermnestra become yet another dynasty regarding Argive Kings, known as the Danaan Dynasty.
The fresh abuse
The story, although not, doesn’t prevent here. Brand new forty-nine brides exactly who murdered the husband were punished because of their crime. The new misconception states one, when they died, they Danaides had been obligated to good torment to have eternity. They want to carry jugs out of h2o and fill good basin. They would getting put out using this abuse, only when this new basin was packed with h2o. However, which torture cannot end since basin had gaps most of the over it and you may drinking water create go out.
Have you got a concern?
Have you got a concern on Greece additionally the Greek isles? Where to sit? Where to consume? And more? Do not hesitate to inquire of the city! Greeka team and its particular community players might be pleased to assist your!