Who cursed Pelops? Greek Mythology Story

The curse that plagued the Pelopid house of Atreus was said to have been uttered by Myrtilus or Oenomaus, and it had far-reaching consequences for the lineage of Pelops, the ruler of the Peloponnese. The origins of this curse date back to the preparations for a chariot race, as depicted in the east pediment of the Temple of Zeus at Olympia.

The story begins with Oenomaus, the king of Pisa, who had a beautiful daughter named Hippodamia. Oenomaus was overprotective of his daughter and devised a clever plan to ensure that no man would ever marry her. He challenged suitors to a chariot race, with the stipulation that if they lost, they would be put to death. As a result, he had already killed many potential suitors.

Pelops, the son of King Tantalus, heard of Hippodamia's beauty and the challenge laid down by her father. He was determined to win her hand in marriage and set out to compete in the deadly chariot race. Pelops sought the help of Poseidon, the god of the sea, and was provided with a divine chariot and horses. With the aid of Poseidon, Pelops was able to sabotage the chariot of Oenomaus, causing him to be thrown from his chariot and killed. Pelops emerged victorious and claimed Hippodamia as his bride.

However, the victory came with a heavy price. Myrtilus, the charioteer of Oenomaus, had secretly been in love with Hippodamia and resented Pelops for taking her away from him. Myrtilus also harbored deep-seated anger towards Oenomaus for mistreating him. As Pelops and Hippodamia set out on their journey, Myrtilus sought to exact his revenge.

Myrtilus devised a plan to curse Pelops and his descendants, thus setting in motion the tragic events that would plague the Pelopid house of Atreus. Some versions of the myth suggest that Myrtilus was promised a reward by Pelops in exchange for his help, but was ultimately betrayed and thrown into the sea. In his dying breath, Myrtilus cursed Pelops and his future offspring, unleashing a chain of calamities that would haunt the royal family for generations to come.

The curse cast by Myrtilus would have devastating repercussions for the descendants of Pelops. The tragic cycle of violence and betrayal that unfolded within the Pelopid house of Atreus is a testament to the enduring power of ancient curses and the inexorable nature of fate. The curse would ultimately lead to the infamous House of Atreus, marked by a series of heinous crimes and bloodshed, including the murder of Agamemnon by his wife Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus, and the subsequent vengeance exacted by their children Orestes and Electra.

The curse that dogged the Pelopid house of Atreus serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition, betrayal, and the pursuit of power at any cost. It is a reminder of the enduring legacy of ancient curses and the inescapable grip of destiny, as well as the tragic consequences that befall those who defy the will of the gods and seek to alter the course of their fates.

Pelops, who became the ruler of the greater part of the Peloponnese, found himself ensnared in a web of tragedy and suffering, as the curse cast by Myrtilus continued to wreak havoc on his descendants. The story of Pelops and the curse that haunted his lineage stands as a stark reminder of the enduring power of ancient myths and the timeless themes of hubris, betrayal, and the overwhelming influence of fate. The tragic fate of the Pelopid house of Atreus serves as a cautionary tale for future generations, a warning against the dangers of defying the will of the gods and the inexorable nature of destiny.

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