Alcmaeon

Alcmaeon

Alcmaeon was the son of Amphiaraus and Eriphyle in Greek mythology, one of the leaders who attacked the city of Thebes, after the war that started by the Seven Against Thebes, as revenge for their fathers’ deaths. Before his father left for the battle, he told Alcmaeon that his mother was responsible for what was about to happen, and asked him to kill her if he did not return from the battlefield. Amphiaraus died in the battle, and Alcmaeon killed his mother. However, this caused the rage of the Erinyes who haunted anyone who committed matricide or other heinous crimes and drove them mad. Alcmaeon fled to Arcadia, where King Phegeus gave his daughter in marriage; Alcmaeon offered his wife the necklace and the robe of Harmonia which his mother possessed. Not having escaped from the Erinyes, he went to Delphi to be instructed by the Oracle; there, he was told to find a land that did not exist when he had killed his mother. Alcmaeon went to the delta of Achelous which was newly formed and married Callirrhoe, the daughter of the river god. She asked for the necklace and robe of Harmonia as a gift, and Alcmaeon went back to trick Phegeus into giving them to him. Phegeus found out that he was being tricked and had his sons kill Alcmaeon.

See Also: Amphiaraus, Seven Against Thebes, Callirrhoe, Achelous, Necklace of Harmonia

Alcmaeon Q&A

Who was Alcmaeon?

Alcmaeon was the son of Amphiaraus and Eriphyle in Greek mythology, one of the leaders who attacked the city of Thebes, after the war that started by the Seven Against Thebes, as revenge for their fathers’ deaths. Before his father left for the battle, he told Alcmaeon that his mother was responsible for what was about to happen, and asked him to kill her if he did not return from the battlefield.

Who were the parents of Alcmaeon?

The parent of Alcmaeon was Amphiaraus.

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