Hippolytus

Family: Theseus's household · Role: son of Theseus · First appears: Euripides, Hippolytus — Scene 1

Hippolytus was born to Theseus and Hippolyta, after Theseus married the Amazon, and was brought up in Trœzene by Pittheus, his chaste mentor. There, he rejected marriage and honored Artemis above Aphrodite, leading Aphrodite to resolve to destroy him. Artemis was his companion in hunting, while Orpheus was named as his master when Theseus attacked his doctrines.

During Theseus’s absence, Phaedra, his father’s wife, revealed that she loved Hippolytus. Hippolytus condemned her for exposing a desire for a father’s marriage bed, then left the house and remained silent until Theseus returned. Phaedra hanged herself after learning of his anger, leaving a letter that led Theseus to accuse Hippolytus of violating his marriage and to reject his oath and defense.

Theseus banished him and called on Poseidon to destroy him, using one of the promised curses. Hippolytus’s chariot was wrecked, and he died from his injuries, saying, “My time of strength is past; for I perish, my father.” Artemis revealed that Theseus had killed him unjustly, granted him lasting honors among the virgins of Trœzene, and Hippolytus forgave Theseus, releasing him from guilt for his death.