Amphitryon
Grc: Ἀμφιτρύων - En: Amphitryon - "Harassing Either Side"
Amphitryon serves as Regal Therapon to King Oidipous of Thebai and commander of the Theban Army.
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Fit and strong.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
The Quest for Alkmene
Amphitryon wished to marry Princess Alkmene, daughter of King Elektryon of Mykenai. But Elektryon first required Amphitryon to avenge the deaths of his sons, who had fallen in battle against the Taphians. These pirates, headquartered on the island of Taphos in the Ionian Sea, off the coast of Akarnania in northwestern Chersos, were conducting raids across Hellas. A prophecy told that they would remain invincible as long as their leader, King Pterelaus, possessed his long, golden hair.Battle Against the Taphians
Amphitryon and his companions had little luck against the Taphians until Amphitryon found and romanced Komaitho, the king's daughter. Gradually, he persuaded her to prove her love by cutting her father's hair while he slept, promising to then take her away and marry her. Without his hair, the king lost his strength and his army fell. Having defeated the enemy, Amphitryon put Komaitho to death and left his friend, Kephalus, to rule the Kingdom of the Taphians. Kephalus would be a great-grandfather to Odysseus through his son, Arkesius, and grandson, Lairtes (if you discount the claims of Sysiphus).Tragedy
On the way back from this successful expedition, and after marrying Alkmene, Amphitryon killed King Elektryon, his new father-in-law, in a freak accident. While Amphitryon was presenting some cattle he'd seized as a war prize as a gift to Elektryon, one of the cows charged forward. Amphitryon threw a club at it, which bounced off the horns, and fatally struck Elektryon. Amphitryon was driven from Mykenai by Elektryon's brother, Sthenelus, seized the throne and sought to consolidate his power. Amphitryon fled with his pregnant wife to Thebai, where he sought sanctuary from King Laios.Battle Against the Teleboans
After King Pterelaus was slain, the remaining Taphian raiders reorganized under Pterelaus's brother, Teleboas, and resumed their plundering ways, now calling themselves the Teleboans. Laios, seizing on Amphitryon's reputation, cleansed the warrior prince of guilt, put him in charge of the Theban Army, and sent him off to rid the land of the Teleboans. The campaign was a success, cementing Amphitryon's future in Thebai.Amphitryon Becomes a Father
Alkmene gave birth to twin sons, Iphikles and Alkaius, but only Iphikles survived. The couple later had a daughter named Laonome.The Death of Amphitryon
Amphitryon slew the Teumessian fox which had been sent by Dionysos to ravage the Theban countryside, but fell in battle against the Minyans at Orchomenus, against whom he had undertaken an expedition, accompanied by several youthful soldiers, to deliver Thebai from a disgraceful tribute.Employment
General and King's Therapon in the Army of Thebai, also responsible for training and recruitment for the two Youth Army Divisions led by Princes Eteokles and Polyneikes.
Social
Family Ties
The son of Alkaius, king of Tiryns in Argolis. {His mother was named either Astydameia, the daughter of Pelops and Hippodamia, or Laonome, daughter of Guneus, or else Hipponome, daughter of Menoeceus.} Amphitryon had a sister named Anaxo, wife of Electryon and a brother named Perimede, wife of Likymnius.
He arrived in Thebai with his wife, Alkmene. The two had two sons, Iphikles and Alkaius, but the pair were attacked by a pair of serpents while only days old, only Iphikles survived.
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Regal Therapon of King Oidipous, Commander of the Theban Army.
Year of Birth
1082 α4
39 Years old
Birthplace
Kingdom of Tiryns
Children
Current Residence
City of Thebai
Comments