Œnomaus

Family: mythological figures · Role: ruler · First appears: Book 5 · Chapter 1

Œnomaus is described as ruler of Pisæa, said to be the son of Alxion or, in the prevalent poetic tradition, Ares. Harpina is also said to have borne him to Ares, making him king of Pisa. In Book 5, Chapter 1, Pelops deposed him and took Pisæa and Olympia. Sterope was his wife, and Myrtilus his charioteer; his daughter Hippodamia was the prize in a horse-race he proposed for her suitors. After lightning struck his house, an altar was built to Zeus of the Lightning.

In Book 6, Œnomaus is said to have killed many of Hippodamia’s suitors, beginning with Marmax, before Pelops defeated him. The listed victims include Alcathous, Euryalus, Eurymachus, Crotalus, Acrias, Capetus, Lycurgus, Lasius, Chalcodon, Tricolonus, Aristomachus, Prias, Pelagon, Æolius, Cronius, Erythras and Eioneus. Later, Myrtilus betrayed Œnomaus after Pelops promised him a night with Hippodamia. Dysponteus is named as his son and founder of a city, and Leucippus as another son.

Relationship record

Book 5 · Chapter 1

• parent: Alxion “Œnomaus the son of Alxion, (or the son of Ares, as poets have sung, which is the prevalent tradition), being ruler of the country called Pisæa, was deposed from his rule by Pelops the Lydian, who had crossed over from Asia Minor.”
• parent: Ares “Œnomaus the son of Alxion, (or the son of Ares, as poets have sung, which is the prevalent tradition), being ruler of the country called Pisæa, was deposed from his rule by Pelops the Lydian, who had crossed over from Asia Minor.”
• with Pelops (Pelops deposed Œnomaus from his rule.) “Œnomaus the son of Alxion, (or the son of Ares, as poets have sung, which is the prevalent tradition), being ruler of the country called Pisæa, was deposed from his rule by Pelops the Lydian, who had crossed over from Asia Minor.”

Book 5 · Chapter 10

• married with Sterope “and on the right hand of Zeus is Œnomaus with a helmet on his head, and beside him his wife Sterope, one of the daughters of Atlas.”
• with Myrtilus (Myrtilus is Œnomaus' charioteer.) “And Myrtilus, who was the charioteer of Œnomaus, is seated behind the four horses.”
• rivals with Pelops “And on the gables in bas relief is the chariot race between Pelops and Œnomaus, and both chariots in motion.”

Book 5 · Chapter 11

• child: Hippodamia (Hippodamia is Œnomaus's daughter.) “and Hippodamia the daughter of Œnomaus with her mother,”