Ideology > Aletes (Son of Aegisthus)

Aletes (Son of Aegisthus)

Background

Aletes, son of Aegisthus and Clytemnestra, is a lesser-known figure in Greek mythology. His story is intertwined with the tragic saga of the House of Atreus, which is marked by cycles of vengeance, murder, and familial strife. Here are the key aspects of Aletes' life and his role in Greek mythology:

Family Background

1. Parents: Aletes was the son of Aegisthus and Clytemnestra. Aegisthus was a cousin and the murderer of Agamemnon, while Clytemnestra was Agamemnon's wife who conspired with Aegisthus to kill her husband.
2. House of Atreus: The family of Aletes belonged to the House of Atreus, a lineage cursed with betrayal, murder, and revenge. This curse began with Tantalus and continued through his descendants, including Atreus, Thyestes, Agamemnon, and Aegisthus.

Role in Mythology

1. Aftermath of Agamemnon's Murder: Following the murder of Agamemnon, Aegisthus and Clytemnestra took over the throne of Mycenae. Aletes, as their son, was in line to inherit their power.
2. Orestes' Return: The most significant event in Aletes' story is the return of Orestes, the son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. Orestes returned to Mycenae to avenge his father's murder. With the help of his sister Electra, Orestes killed both Aegisthus and Clytemnestra.
3. Aletes' Fate: According to some sources, Aletes sought to claim the throne of Mycenae after the death of his parents. However, his fate varies in different accounts. In some versions, Orestes also kills Aletes to secure his position as the rightful ruler of Mycenae and to complete his act of vengeance. In other versions, Aletes' fate is less explicitly detailed, but he is generally not portrayed as succeeding in his quest for power.

Variations in Accounts

1. Euripides' "Electra": In Euripides' play "Electra," the focus is primarily on the reunion of Orestes and Electra and their joint vengeance against Aegisthus and Clytemnestra. Aletes is not a prominent figure in this version.
2. Pausanias' Account: The geographer Pausanias provides a different perspective, mentioning that Orestes killed Aletes after the latter attempted to claim the throne of Mycenae.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

1. Representation of Vengeance: Aletes' story, although not as widely known as those of his parents or half-siblings, contributes to the larger narrative of vengeance and retribution that defines the House of Atreus.
2. Tragic Cycle: The tale of Aletes underscores the relentless cycle of violence and revenge that plagued his family, reflecting the themes of fate and the inescapable nature of curses in Greek mythology.

Summary

Aletes, the son of Aegisthus and Clytemnestra, is a minor but significant figure in the mythological saga of the House of Atreus. His life is marked by the tragic consequences of his parents' actions and the vengeance sought by Orestes. Aletes' attempt to claim the throne of Mycenae ultimately ends in failure, further perpetuating the cycle of violence and retribution that characterizes his family's cursed legacy.

Sources

Hyginus, Fabulae. 122.

Greek Ideology