Online Encyclopedia

AEGISTHUS

Online Encyclopedia
Originally appearing in Volume V01, Page 255 of the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.
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AEGISTHUS  , in

Greek legend, was the son of Thyestes by his own daughter Pelopia . Having been exposed by his
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mother to conceal her shame, he was found by shepherds and suckled by a goat—whence his name . His
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uncle
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Atreus, who had married Pelopia, took him to
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Mycenae, and brought him up as his own son . When he grew up Aegisthus slew Atreus, and ruled jointly with his
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father over Mycenae, until they were deposed by
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Agamemnon on his return from exile . After the departure of Agamemnon to the Trojan war, Aegisthus seduced his wife Clytaemnestra (more correctly Clytaemestra) and with her assistance slew him on his return . Eight years later his
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murder was avenged by his son
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Orestes . Homer, Od. iii . 263, iv . 517; Hyginus, Fab . 87 .

End of Article: AEGISTHUS
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AEGIS (Gr. Aigis)
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AEGOSPOTAMI (i.e. " Goat Streams ")

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