Pearson Solutions
Close windowBack to Pearson
From Information Please Back to Fact Monster Home Page
Search
Encyclopedia

Atreus

Atreus (ā'trēus) [key], in Greek mythology, the son of Pelops and the father of Agamemnon and Menelaus. He vied with his brother Thyestes for the throne of Mycenae. When Thyestes seduced Atreus' wife, Aerope, in order to attain the golden ram whose possession signified kingship, Atreus, in retaliation, murdered the sons of Thyestes and served them to him at a feast. Thyestes thereupon laid a curse upon the house of Atreus. Thyestes' son Aegisthus, who was not involved in the mass murder, killed Atreus and restored the kingdom to Thyestes.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

More on Atreus from Fact Monster:

  • Thyestes - Thyestes Thyestes : see Atreus.
  • Aegisthus - Aegisthus Aegisthus , in Greek mythology, according to most legends the incestuous offspring of ...
  • Menelaus - Menelaus Menelaus , in Greek mythology, king of Sparta, son of Atreus. He was the husband of Helen, ...
  • Mycenae - Mycenae Mycenae , ancient city of Greece, in Argolis. In historical times it had little importance ...
  • Agamemnon - Agamemnon Agamemnon , in Greek mythology, leader of the Greek forces in the Trojan War; king of ...

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Folklore and Mythology
Link to Fact Monster | Add Fact Monster search to your site | Awards and Press
Contact Fact Monster | Advertise with Fact Monster | Rights | Privacy | Terms of Use
Brought to you by: Information Please
© 2000–2007 Pearson Education, publishing as Fact Monster