Pylades in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Pylades

35 passages from 5 ancient authors that tell of Pylades, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Pylades was the prince of Phocis, son of King Strophius and Queen Anaxibia. His uncles on his mother's side were Agamemnon and Menelaus, protagonists ... For the story in one place, read our article on Pylades.

Apollodorus (1)

Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome E.6.1–29The returns from Troy: Nauplius, Agamemnon's murder and OrestesThe Greeks quarrel at an assembly over whether to leave at once, and the section follows the returns: Calchas and Mopsus at Colophon, the storm at Tenos in which Ajax dies, Nauplius's false beacon at Caphereus, Neoptolemus in Molossia, and the fates of Demophon and Phyllis, Podalirius and the Locrian maidens. Agamemnon is murdered by Clytemnestra and Aegisthus, and Orestes avenges him, is tried at Athens, and brings the image of Artemis from the Taurians. The section ends with Menelaus's wanderings and his return to Sparta.

Aeschylus (3)

Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 892–930Episode: Orestes confronts ClytaemestraOrestes appears and tells Clytaemestra that he is looking for her, since Aegisthus has had enough. When she bares her breast and pleads with him, he hesitates, but Pylades speaks and reminds him of the oracles of Loxias and their sworn pact. Orestes drives her inside, and as they argue she warns him of the hounds of a mother's wrath and he answers that he must also escape his father's.
Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 1–83bPrologue and parodos: Orestes at the tomb of AgamemnonOrestes, newly returned from exile, prays to Hermes at his father's tomb and lays two locks of hair on it. He sees a group of women in black coming with Electra, and he and Pylades step aside. The Chorus of slave women, sent by Clytaemestra with libations after a terrifying dream, sing of the cries of grief that they have to utter, of the fear and hatred that fill the house, and of the blood that cries out for vengeance.
Aeschylus, Libation Bearers 479–584End of the kommos: Clytaemestra's dream and Orestes' planOrestes and Electra pray that their father will send up help and send Justice to fight for them. The Chorus tell why Clytaemestra sent the libations: she dreamed that she gave birth to a serpent and nursed it, and that it drew blood with her milk. Orestes takes the dream as a sign that he will kill her, and says that he and Pylades will come to the palace gate disguised as strangers, and that Electra must go in and keep their plan secret.

Sophocles (3)

Sophocles, Electra 1–85Prologue: Orestes and the Paedagogus plan the deceptionThe old Paedagogus shows Orestes and Pylades the palace of Mycenae, where he once carried the boy away to safety. Orestes tells how Apollo's oracle at Delphi told him to take vengeance by stealth and not with an army. He plans that the Paedagogus will go into the palace and report that Orestes has died in a chariot race at the Pythian games, while he and Pylades first make offerings at his father's tomb. Electra's cries are heard from inside, and the three leave for the tomb.
Sophocles, Electra 1288–1383Fourth episode (cont.): the Paedagogus urges hasteOrestes asks Electra to say no more about their mother and Aegisthus and to hide her joy, and she promises to do as he wishes. The old Paedagogus comes out of the palace and scolds them for talking at the door, and tells them to go in now that Clytaemnestra is alone. Electra greets him as the saviour of the house, and Orestes and Pylades go to pray at the shrines before entering while Electra prays to Apollo.
Sophocles, Electra 1098–1170Fourth episode: Orestes brings the urn; Electra's lamentOrestes arrives with Pylades and attendants, and asks for Aegisthus, saying that they bring the ashes of Orestes in a small urn. Electra asks to hold the urn and takes it in her arms. She pours out her grief for her brother, the care that she gave him as a child, and the hopes that she had for his return, and she asks to be taken into his tomb.

Euripides (26)

Euripides, Orestes 729–785bFourth episode: Pylades arrives; he has been banished by his fatherPylades comes at a run, having seen the citizens assembling against Orestes and his sister. He learns how Menelaus has failed Orestes, and tells how his father Strophius has banished him for helping in the murder. He urges Orestes to go and speak to the assembly.
Euripides, Orestes 1069–1130Sixth episode: Pylades refuses to leave; they plan to kill HelenPylades blames Orestes for thinking that he would live when his friend is dead, and refuses to leave. They decide to take counsel so that Menelaus may share their misfortune. Pylades proposes to kill Helen, and they plan to enter the house under the pretence of going to their death.
Euripides, Orestes 786–843Fourth episode: Orestes goes to the assembly; choral song on the house of AtreusPylades supports Orestes as they set off for the assembly, and Orestes says that one friend is better than a host of relations. The Chorus sings of the downfall of the house of Atreus, from the golden ram to the murder of Clytemnestra. They mourn for Orestes, now raving mad.
Euripides, Iphigenia in Tauris 67–122Prologue: Orestes and Pylades reach the templeOrestes and Pylades come cautiously to the temple and see an altar stained with blood and the trophies of the strangers slain. Orestes says that Phoebus has led him into a trap, since the god told him to bring the image of Artemis to Athens to be freed of his torments, and Pylades says that they must not be seen as cowards, so they decide to hide in a cave by the sea until night.
Euripides, Iphigenia in Tauris 723–776Second episode: Iphigenia makes Pylades swear and reads out the letterIphigenia comes out of the temple with the folds of a tablet and asks Pylades for an oath that he will take it to Argos. Pylades asks for an exception if the ship is lost in the waves, and Iphigenia says that she will tell him what is written, so that if the tablet is lost he can still report it. The message is to Orestes, son of Agamemnon, from Iphigenia, who was supposedly slain at Aulis, and Orestes cries out in wonder.
Euripides, Orestes 1204–1245Sixth episode: the ambush is setOrestes praises Electra and tells her to stay before the palace to watch for Hermione and signal to those inside. He, Electra and Pylades call on Agamemnon and Zeus for help. Orestes and Pylades then go into the house to carry out their plan.
Euripides, Iphigenia in Tauris 777–821Second episode: the recognition of Orestes and IphigeniaIphigenia tells Pylades that Artemis saved her by giving a deer in exchange, and Pylades, released by his oath, hands the tablet to Orestes. Orestes embraces his sister in unbelieving joy, and the Chorus Leader rebukes him for laying hands on the priestess. Iphigenia doubts that he is her brother, and Orestes gives tokens: the quarrel of Atreus and Thyestes over the golden ram, the tapestry that she wove, her bridal bath and the lock of hair.
Euripides, Iphigenia in Tauris 628–673Second episode: Iphigenia goes for the letter; Orestes notices her interest in ArgosIphigenia answers that the sister Orestes wishes for is far away, but promises to set ornaments on his tomb and pour oil and honey on his pyre. She tells the attendants to guard the strangers without chains, and goes to fetch the letter, while the Chorus laments for them. Orestes asks Pylades whether he too has noticed how like a Greek the girl is, and how she questioned him about Troy, Calchas and Agamemnon.
Euripides, Iphigenia in Tauris 674–722Second episode: Pylades and Orestes dispute who will livePylades says that it would be shameful to live when his friend is dead, since he sailed together with him and ought to die together with him, and he fears that he would be thought a coward. Orestes says that he must bear his own ills, and that he does not wish to double his grief, and so he persuades Pylades to take the letter and live, and Pylades promises him a tomb and that he will not betray his sister's bed.
Euripides, Orestes 1013–1068Sixth episode: Orestes and Electra say farewellThe Chorus Leader sees Orestes brought back with Pylades, and Electra weeps as she sees him stand before the funeral pyre. Orestes tells her to accept their fate, and she asks him to kill her. They embrace, and Orestes says that Menelaus did not even show himself and asks Pylades to bury them both.
Euripides, Electra 82–111Prologue: Orestes and Pylades arrive in secretOrestes, who has come in secret, says that Pylades alone of his friends has honoured him in his exile, and that he has come to the border of Argos to meet his sister, who is married in the country, and to take vengeance on the murderers of his father. They see a woman coming with a pitcher, and hide to learn who she is.
Euripides, Electra 1233–1291Exodos: the Dioscuri appear and give their judgmentThe Chorus sees two figures above the house, and the Dioscuri, Castor and Polydeuces, brothers of Clytemnestra, speak to Orestes, saying that she has her just reward but that he has not acted justly, and that Phoebus gave unwise oracles. They tell him to give Electra to Pylades, to leave Argos, which he may not enter, and to go to Athens, where he will be tried, since the dread goddesses will drive him, and he will be acquitted when the votes are equal.

14 more passages of Euripides that name Pylades

Pausanias (2)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.29.1–11Epidaurus and Aegina: the Aeaceum and the stories of Aeacus and PhocusPausanias lists the temples and images of Epidaurus city and moves to Aegina, tracing the island’s legends from Zeus and Aegina to Aeacus, the descendants of Aeacus who went elsewhere, and its rise to naval power. He describes the Aeaceum with the relief of the envoys who begged Aeacus to end the drought, and the grave of Phocus, killed by Peleus’ quoit throw. He also notes the Secret Harbour and Telamon’s mole, and the theatre and stadium.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.16.1–7Mycenae: Perseus, the Argive kings, the Lion Gate and the tombsPausanias lists the Argive kings from Argos and Triopas to Danaus and Lynceus, the division between Acrisius and Proetus, and the death of Acrisius by Perseus’ quoit. He gives accounts of why Perseus founded Mycenae, and of how the Argives later destroyed it. He describes the surviving walls with the lion gate, the Persea fountain, the treasuries of Atreus and the graves of Agamemnon and his companions, with Clytemnestra and Aegisthus outside the walls.