Читать книгу The Herodotus Encyclopedia - Группа авторов - Страница 91

CHRISTOPHER BARON

University of Notre Dame

Mythical, important figure in the Theban EPIC cycle. Although an Argive, Adrastus gained the kingship of SICYON (already in HOMER, Il. 2.572). Herodotus explains (5.67.4) that Adrastus’ mother was the daughter of POLYBUS, the previous Sicyonian king; other sources help us fill in the gaps, notably Adrastus’ quarrel with AMPHIARAUS, to whom he had given his sister Eriphyle in MARRIAGE (schol. Pind. Nem. 9.30). Two of Adrastus’ daughters were married to TYDEUS and POLYNEICES. In some versions of the “Seven against THEBES” Adrastus leads the expedition, but he survives the fighting (e.g., Eur. Supp. 857–917).

Herodotus mentions a hero‐shrine of Adrastus which still stood in the AGORA of Sicyon and tragic choruses which were held in his honor in previous times. However, the tyrant CLEISTHENES OF SICYON (early sixth century BCE) wished to banish Adrastus due to his Argive connections. When the PYTHIA at DELPHI rather bluntly denied his request, Cleisthenes cleverly introduced the cult of MELANIPPUS SON OF ASTACES to the council‐house at Sicyon—Melanippus had killed Tydeus and Adrastus’ brother MECISTEUS—and eliminated the SACRIFICES and FESTIVALS dedicated to Adrastus (5.67).

SEE ALSO: Aegialeus; Argos; Heroes and Hero Cult; Myth; Tyrants