Phaedra (mythology)


In Greek mythology, Phaedra was a Cretan princess. Phaedra's name derives from the Greek word φαιδρός, which meant "bright"., Genoa
, 60–20 BC

Family

Phaedra was the daughter of Minos and Pasiphaë of Crete, and thus sister to Acacallis, Ariadne, Androgeus, Deucalion, Xenodice, Glaucus and Catreus and half-sister to the Minotaur. She was the wife of Theseus and the mother of Demophon of Athens and Acamas.

Mythology

Married to Theseus, who had kidnapped her after abandoning her sister Ariadne, Phaedra fell in love with Hippolytus, Theseus's son by another woman. Hippolytus rejected her.
In revenge, Phaedra wrote Theseus a letter that claimed Hippolytus had raped her. Theseus got angry and cursed Hippolytus with one of the three curses he had received from Poseidon. As a result, Hippolytus's horses were frightened by a sea monster and dragged their rider to his death.
In another version, after Phaedra told Theseus that Hippolytus had raped her, Theseus killed his son, and Phaedra then committed suicide out of guilt, for she had not intended Hippolytus to die. Artemis later told Theseus the truth.
In a third version, Phaedra told Theseus and did not kill herself; Dionysus then sent a wild bull which terrified Hippolytus's horses.
Euripides twice placed this story on the Athenian stage, of which one version survives.
According to some sources, Hippolytus had spurned Aphrodite to remain a steadfast and virginal devotee of Artemis, and Aphrodite made Phaedra fall in love with him as a punishment.
In one version, Phaedra's nurse told Hippolytus of her love, and he swore he would not reveal her as a source of information.

Cultural impact

Phaedra has been the subject of many notable works in art, literature, music and film.

In art

Phaedra's story appears in many acclaimed works of literature, including:
Phaedra is also the subject of a number of musical works, including: