The House of Atreus

Whether it was eating children or stealing their brother's wife, the people in the House of Atreus constantly did evil. You would think they would learn from their mistakes, but they never did. Bad luck and this cursed house became synonymous.  What wretched people.

Summary of Atreus

In Greek mythology, there was much discord in the ancient house of Atreus. Atreus was the son of Pelops, husband of Aerope, brother of Thyestes, and the father of Menelaus and Agamemnon (who later fight the Trojans in the Trojan War). Atreus succeeded the throne of Pelops and took over as the king of Mycenae, greatly angering his younger brother, Thyestes. Thyestes then attempted to seduce Aerops into giving him the golden ram which gave kingship to whoever held it. Atreus learned of this plot and exiled Thyestes from Mycenae. Later on though, Atreus called upon Thyestes to “resolve” their problems. Thyestes, thinking this was a sign of reconciliation, came to the royal house of Atreus, whereupon Atreus had cooked Thyestes’s kids and served them to him. Thyestes fled from the palace, horrified that he had eaten his own children’s flesh, shortly after married his own daughter. Together, they had another son, Aegisthus, who later killed Atreus, and gave the kingdom of Atreus to Thyestes.

The Beginning of the Curse

Here are some funny comics that explain why Atreus and his descendants were cursed.

Genealogy of the House of Atreus

Here's a family tree of both the House of Atreus and the House of Thebes woven together. I hope it's not too confusing....

Check it out here!

Or, here's one that is a little less complicated. Well not really, but check it out anyway!

Atreus, The Man Who Named The House

Atreus and Thyestes, brothers

Thyestes let love fall where it should not

Atreus's wife made false her marraige vows

Thyestes paid as no other man had

Atreus cut two a child limb from limb

Thyestes's children, boiled and served

To their father, he ate

Learning of the deed horrible, spewed up poor flesh

Calling down upon that house doom intolerable

Atreus was king

Thyestes had no power

Generations suffered long after

Dr. Phil Interviews The House of Atreus

Here's a funny video I found about The House of Atreus. It explains the many different family problems, and shows the relation between each family member. I hope you enjoy it!