Clytemnestra in Greek Mythology
Clytemnestra, a central figure in Greek mythology, is remembered for her complex role as the wife of Agamemnon, the king of Mycenae, and as the half-sister of Helen of Sparta (also known as Helen of Troy). Her story weaves themes of betrayal, revenge, and justice. While she is portrayed as a scheming and vengeful figure in Aeschylus’ Oresteia, Homer’s Odyssey presents a more subdued version of her character. These differing depictions highlight her multifaceted personality and enduring significance in Greek mythology.
Clytemnestra by British artist John Collier.
READ MORE: 10 Major Events in Greek mythology
The Origin and Meaning of Her Name
Clytemnestra’s name derives from the Ancient Greek Κλυταιμνήστρα (Klutaimnḗstra). Often Latinized as Clytaemnestra, the name has been interpreted in multiple ways. One gloss translates it as “famed for her suitors,” linking it erroneously to the verb μνάομαι (mnáomai, meaning “to woo”).
However, a more accurate etymology derives it from the words κλυτός (klutós, “celebrated”) and μήδομαι (mḗdomai, “to plan, scheme”), aptly rendering her as the “famous plotter.” Aeschylus frequently employed this interpretation in his wordplay, emphasizing her cunning and calculating nature.
Clytemnestra’s Lineage and Background
As a Spartan princess, Clytemnestra was born to Tyndareus, the king of Sparta, and his wife Leda.
According to mythology, Zeus, disguised as a swan, seduced Leda, resulting in the birth of Helen and Polydeuces (Pollux) from one egg and Clytemnestra and Castor from another. While Helen and Polydeuces were considered children of Zeus, Clytemnestra and Castor were fathered by Tyndareus.
Clytemnestra’s siblings, including Helen, Castor, and Polydeuces, played significant roles in mythological narratives. Helen’s elopement with Paris set the stage for the Trojan War, intertwining their fates with Clytemnestra’s through their shared lineage and subsequent events.
Marriage to Agamemnon
Clytemnestra’s marriage to Agamemnon was marked by violence and coercion. In some versions of the myth, she was previously married to Tantalus, king of Pisa. Agamemnon killed Tantalus and Clytemnestra’s infant son, forcing her into marriage.
In other accounts, she married Agamemnon after his exile in Sparta, alongside his brother Menelaus, who married Helen. These tales highlight the tumultuous beginning of their union and foreshadow the conflicts that would later arise.
Fifth century BC depiction of Agamemnon seated while holding his scepter.
The Catalyst: The Sacrifice of Iphigenia
One of the defining moments in Clytemnestra’s story was the sacrifice of her daughter Iphigenia. When Agamemnon sought to sail to Troy, unfavorable winds halted the Greek fleet. The seer Calchas declared that only the sacrifice of Iphigenia to Artemis could appease the goddess and allow the fleet to proceed. Deceiving Clytemnestra with the promise of a marriage to Achilles, Agamemnon lured Iphigenia to Aulis, where she was killed.
This act of betrayal and the loss of her daughter planted the seeds of hatred and revenge in Clytemnestra’s heart, shaping her future actions and setting the stage for tragedy.
The Affair with Aegisthus
During Agamemnon’s ten-year absence in the Trojan War, Clytemnestra entered a relationship with Aegisthus, Agamemnon’s cousin. The motives behind this affair vary across sources—some suggest she was seduced, while others portray her as a willing participant. Their union was fueled by mutual grievances against Agamemnon. Clytemnestra sought retribution for Iphigenia’s death and her own suffering, while Aegisthus harbored a personal vendetta due to his father’s betrayal by Agamemnon’s father, Atreus.
Together, they conspired to murder Agamemnon upon his return, a plan that intertwined their ambitions and sealed their fates.
The Murder of Agamemnon
The murder of Agamemnon is a pivotal episode in Greek mythology, with varying accounts emphasizing different details. In earlier versions, Aegisthus alone kills Agamemnon. However, in Aeschylus’ Agamemnon, part of the Oresteia trilogy, Clytemnestra plays the central role.
Agamemnon returned from Troy with Cassandra, a Trojan princess and his war prize. Clytemnestra greeted him warmly, hiding her true intentions. Later, she trapped him in a cloth net while he bathed and stabbed him to death. Cassandra, foreseeing the murder through her prophetic powers, also met her end at Clytemnestra’s hands.
This act of vengeance was driven by both personal grievances—chiefly the sacrifice of Iphigenia—and her desire to seize power alongside Aegisthus.
During the sack of Troy, the Greeks committed unspeakable acts of violence, with many outright sacrilegious acts, including the rape of Cassandra, the daughter of King Priam and the priestess of Apollo. Therefore, the gods sent terrible storms to wreak havoc on the Greeks that were returning home. A series of disaster and bad luck followed the few that braced the storms and finally make it home. For example, Agamemnon was killed by his cousin Aegisthus, who was the lover of his cheating wife Clytemnestra. Image: The Burning of Troy (1759-62), oil painting by Johann Georg Trautmann
Aftermath and Clytemnestra’s Rule
Following Agamemnon’s death, Clytemnestra and Aegisthus ruled Mycenae for seven years. Their reign was marked by instability and the looming threat of retribution. In some accounts, they had three children: Aletes, Erigone, and Helen. However, their time as rulers was overshadowed by the prophecy of Orestes, Clytemnestra’s son with Agamemnon, who would return to avenge his father.
The Revenge of Orestes
Orestes, who had been sent away as a child, eventually returned to Mycenae. With the help of his sister Electra, he killed both Clytemnestra and Aegisthus, fulfilling the cycle of vengeance. The murder of his mother plunged Orestes into guilt and madness, as he was pursued by the Furies for committing matricide.
Clytemnestra is a figure of immense complexity, embodying themes of power, grief, and vengeance. Her actions can be seen as both monstrous and justified, depending on the perspective.
Legacy in Literature and Art
Clytemnestra’s story has inspired countless works across history. She is a central figure in Aeschylus’ Oresteia, where her actions and motivations are explored in depth. Later adaptations, such as Eugene O’Neill’s Mourning Becomes Electra and Colm Tóibín’s House of Names, reinterpret her tale through modern lenses.
Artists have also immortalized her story, from classical vase paintings to 19th-century works like Pierre-Narcisse Guérin’s Murder of Agamemnon. Modern choreographers, composers, and filmmakers have further expanded her legacy, exploring her character in ballets, operas, and movies.
