Strophius

Also known as: Strophios · Family: Phocis · Role: ally · First appears: Aeschylus, Agamemnon — Scene 4

After Agamemnon had been slain, Orestes, his heir, was sent to the care of Strophius in Phokis. He was described as “a kind ally” who nurtured Orestes away from his mother, and as Agamemnon’s friend; he is also associated with Clytemnestra as a friend. In Phocis, Strophius received and raised Orestes, after the boy was secretly taken from Argos for protection.

Strophius was later identified as the father of Pylades. Enraged by Pylades’ participation in the murder of Orestes’s mother, he drove him into exile from his house.

Relationship record

Life events

• Strophios nurtures Orestes away from his mother.(Aeschylus, Agamemnon — Scene 4)
  • With: Orestes
  • “For now a kind ally doth nurture him, Strophios the Phokian, telling me of woes Of twofold aspect, danger on thy side”
• Orestes was sent away to Strophios's care as heir to Agamemnon.(Aeschylus, The Libation-Pourers — Scene 1 · 📍 Phokis)
  • With: Orestes
  • “Orestes, who was heir to Agamemnon, they had sent away to the care of Strophios of Phokis”
• Strophius received Orestes in Phocis and raised him as his father's friend.(Sophocles, Electra — Scene 1 · 📍 Phocis)
  • With: Orestes
  • “Orestes had been received in Phocis by Strophius, his father's friend.”
• Strophius exiles Pylades for participating in the murder of Orestes’s mother.(Euripides, Orestes — Scene 5)
  • With: Pylades
  • “Strophius, my father, being enraged, hath driven me an exile from his house.”
• Orestes was secretly taken from Argos and delivered to King Strophios for protection.(Euripides, Electra — Scene 2 · 📍 Phocis)
  • With: Orestes
  • “Orestes, ere Aegisthus' hand could fall, Was stolen from Argos--borne by one old thrall, Who served his father's boyhood, over seas Far off, and laid upon King Strophios' knees In Phocis”

Aeschylus, Agamemnon — Scene 4

• ward: Orestes “For now a kind ally doth nurture him, Strophios the Phokian”
• friends with Clytemnestra “For now a kind ally doth nurture him, Strophios the Phokian”

Sophocles, Electra — Scene 1

• friends with Agamemnon “Orestes had been received in Phocis by Strophius, his father's friend.”
• protégé: Orestes “Orestes had been received in Phocis by Strophius, his father's friend.”

Sophocles, Electra — Scene 5

• with Orestes (Strophius charged Orestes with conveying news about Orestes' supposed death.) “I know not what ye have heard. Old Strophius Charged me with tidings of Orestes' fate.”

Euripides, Orestes — Scene 5

• child: Pylades (Strophius is Pylades's father.) “Strophius, my father, being enraged, hath driven me an exile from his house.”

Euripides, Iphigenia In Tauris — Scene 5

• protégé: Orestes (Strophius is identified as Pylades's father immediately before Orestes calls Pylades his preserver; the passage supports Strophius's protective role toward Orestes.) “Ay, and my preserver, not relation only.”
• parent: Pylades “Strophius the Phocian is styled his father.”

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Extracted from the original text of Greek Tragedy. Made with Rho MD.