Molly Ayala
Electra and Orestes are well-known characters in Greek mythology, featuring in several tragedies and myths. Electra is the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, and Orestes is her younger brother. The pair are known for their involvement in the murder of their mother, Clytemnestra, and her lover, Aegisthus. In some versions of the story, Electra and Orestes pray to Apollo, the god who ordered Orestes to kill Clytemnestra. In other interpretations, Electra gives a prayer of thanks to Apollo for her brother's safe return. The pair also interact with other gods and mythical figures, such as Athena, the Erinyes or Furies, and Artemis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Electra prays to | Apollo |
| Orestes prays to | Apollo |
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What You'll Learn
- Orestes prays to Apollo for guidance on avenging his father's murder
- Electra prays to Apollo in thanks for her brother's safe return
- Orestes seeks refuge in the temple of Apollo at Delphi
- Orestes is pursued by the Erinyes, or Furies, for his crime of matricide
- Orestes dedicates an altar to Athena Areia, who acquits him of his crime
Orestes prays to Apollo for guidance on avenging his father's murder
In Greek mythology, Orestes is the son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, and the brother of Electra. After Agamemnon is murdered by Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus, Electra saves Orestes from being killed by his mother and sends him to live with their father's old friend, King Strophius of Phocis. Strophius raises Orestes with his own son, Pylades, and the two become close friends.
As an adult, Orestes seeks guidance on avenging his father's murder. He visits the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi and asks what he should do. Orestes takes the words of the Delphic Oracle as the actual words of the god Apollo. The Oracle tells him that he must kill his mother and her lover to avenge his father's death. Orestes then conspires with his sister Electra and Pylades to murder Clytemnestra and Aegisthus.
In some versions of the story, Orestes is pursued by the Furies, female spirits of justice and vengeance, for the crime of matricide. In the version told by Aeschylus, Orestes seeks refuge at Delphi, where the Oracle of Apollo tells him to go to Athens and present his case to the Areopagus, a court of elder Athenian citizens. During the trial, Orestes receives the support of Apollo and the goddess Athena, who casts the deciding vote in his favour. The Furies are calmed and stop pursuing him.
In another version, Orestes prays to Apollo for guidance and wonders what will happen. Apollo reminds the Athenians to "honour Justice". Orestes believes that his crime of matricide is justified because his mother was also a murderer. Apollo agrees, stating that Orestes was carrying out the will of Zeus, the "Olympian Father", who is always just.
The story of Orestes and his pursuit of vengeance for his father's murder is a popular theme in Greek mythology and has been retold in various plays and works by Aeschylus, Euripides, and Sophocles.
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Electra prays to Apollo in thanks for her brother's safe return
In Greek mythology, Electra is the daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, and the sister of Orestes. After Agamemnon's murder, Electra saves Orestes' life by sending him away. Orestes returns to Mycenae to avenge his father's death.
Electra's prayer to Apollo is mentioned in the context of her brother's return and the subsequent events leading to the avenging of their father's murder. Apollo's oracle plays a significant role in guiding Orestes' actions. Orestes follows the oracle's instructions to deceive Clytemnestra and Aegisthus, ultimately leading to their deaths.
In the play "Electra," the character of Electra is portrayed as a vengeful soul, consumed by hatred for her mother, Clytemnestra, and seeking revenge for her father's murder. Electra and Orestes work together to kill Clytemnestra and her lover, Aegisthus, although the degree of Electra's involvement varies in different interpretations of the story.
The prayer of Electra to Apollo highlights the importance of divine intervention and the influence of the gods in ancient Greek mythology and tragedies.
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Orestes seeks refuge in the temple of Apollo at Delphi
Orestes, in Greek mythology, is the son of Agamemnon, king of Mycenae, and Clytemnestra. Orestes' sisters Iphigenia and Electra play important roles in his story.
Orestes sought refuge in the temple of Apollo at Delphi, after killing his mother Clytemnestra and her lover, Aegisthus. Orestes was instructed to do so by Apollo, who had ordered him to kill his mother and her lover to avenge his father's death. Orestes was pursued by the Furies, female spirits of justice and vengeance, who drove men mad.
In Aeschylus' version of the story, Orestes is driven mad by the Furies as revenge for killing his mother. Orestes seeks refuge in the temple at Delphi, but Apollo is powerless to protect him from the consequences of his actions. Athena receives Orestes on the Acropolis of Athens and arranges a formal trial. Orestes admits that he killed his mother, though he was acting on Apollo's orders. The trial ends in a tie, forcing an acquittal. The Furies are converted into the Eumenides, who now offer Orestes wisdom and counsel.
In Euripides' version of the story, Orestes is ordered by Apollo to go to Tauris, a land of dangerous barbarians, and bring back a sacred statue of Artemis. Orestes travels to Tauris with his friend Pylades, and they are captured by the barbarians. Orestes' sister Iphigenia, the priestess of Artemis, offers to release him if he will carry a letter from her to Greece. Orestes stays to be slain, while Pylades delivers the letter. The siblings recognize each other, and all three escape together with the statue of Artemis.
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Orestes is pursued by the Erinyes, or Furies, for his crime of matricide
In Greek mythology, Orestes is the son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, and the brother of Electra and Iphigenia. Orestes is pursued by the Erinyes, or Furies, for his crime of matricide.
Orestes is saved as a child by his sister, Electra, from being killed by his mother. He is smuggled to safety by his nurse, where he is raised to avenge his father's murder. Orestes returns to Mycenae as an adult and, following the instructions of the Delphic Oracle, which he interprets as the words of Apollo, he exact's his revenge by killing Clytemnestra and, presumably, Aegisthus, her lover.
After the murder, Orestes is pursued by the Erinyes, or Furies, whose duty it is to punish any violation of family piety. He takes refuge in the temple of Apollo, but the god is powerless to protect him from the consequences of his actions. The Furies torment Orestes, urging him to end his life. Orestes is driven mad, and he goes to Athens to plead his case before a jury. The Erinyes demand their victim, but Orestes is acquitted, and the Furies are converted into the Eumenides, or the "Kindly Ones".
The story of Orestes being pursued by the Furies is a recurring theme in ancient art and literature, and has been depicted by artists such as Louis Lafitte, William-Adolphe Bouguereau, and John Singer Sargent.
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Orestes dedicates an altar to Athena Areia, who acquits him of his crime
Orestes and Electra are brother and sister in Greek mythology, the children of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. Orestes is the subject of several Ancient Greek plays and various myths connected with his madness, revenge, and purification.
Orestes is absent from Mycenae when his father, Agamemnon, returns from the Trojan War with the Trojan princess Cassandra as his concubine. Agamemnon is murdered by his wife Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus. Orestes' sister, Electra, saves Orestes's life by sending him away when their father is murdered. Orestes is raised to avenge his father's murder and returns to Mycenae to exact his revenge.
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Frequently asked questions
Electra prays to Apollo.
Orestes prays to Apollo.
Orestes prays to Apollo because he believes that Apollo ordered him to kill his mother.
Orestes prays to Apollo for guidance and protection after killing his mother because he believes that Apollo ordered him to do so.
Apollo is powerless to protect Orestes, and Orestes is driven mad and pursued by the Erinyes (Furies) whose duty it is to punish violations of family piety.
