Why does Hippolytus die?
Poseidon sent a sea monster that frightened Hippolytus' horses until he could no longer control them. They smashed the chariot and dragged their master to death.
How does Hippolytus end?
In the last moments of the play, Hippolytus forgives his father, kind words are exchanged between father and son, and then Hippolytus dies. Theseus is then left living to dwell on the fact that he killed his beloved son.
Who is responsible for Hippolytus death?
Premise of the myth Offended by this neglect, Aphrodite causes Phaedra, Hippolytus' stepmother, to fall in love with him; Hippolytus rejects Phaedra's advances, setting events in motion that lead to his death in a fall from his chariot.
When did Hippolytus die?
c. 235Saint Hippolytus of Rome, (born c. 170—died c. 235, Sardinia; Western feast day August 13, Eastern feast day January 30), Christian martyr who was also the first antipope (217/218–235). Hippolytus was a leader of the Roman church during the pontificate (c.
What happens to Hippolytus at the end of Phaedra?
Phaedra arrives and clears Hippolytus, then dies of the effects of a poison she has taken earlier. Grief-stricken, Theseus vows to make full amends to his son's memory and to treat Aricia as his daughter.
What is the main lesson of the story of Hippolytus?
Common Themes and Conclusions. A common theme which runs throughout the entire play is the treachery of women. This misogynistic conclusion is characteristic of Greek plays - both women and goddesses are often portrayed in Greek plays as jealous, deceitful souls often given to acting on their basest desires.
What did Artemis promise Hippolytus as he lay dying?
Each goddess is in her own way unusually cruel to the human characters. Aphrodite uses Phaedra to get revenge on Hippolytus and then discards her. At the end of the play Artemis offers Hippolytus, her faithful worshipper, cold consolation when she promises to avenge his death by killing someone beloved of Aphrodite.
Who dies Phaedra?
One thing is certain: Phaedra herself consciously and willfully seals her doom when she goes along with Oenone's scheme to accuse Hippolytus of accosting her. Her tragedy becomes everyone's tragedy. Hippolytus dies. Oenone dies.
Why does Phaedra fall in love with Hippolytus?
She was the wife of Theseus, but she fell in love with her husband's son, Hippolytus. According to a version of the story, Hippolytus had mocked Aphrodite by telling her to be a virginal devotee of Artemis; so, Aphrodite made Phaedra fall for him, but he rejected her love.
Is Hippolytus a tragic hero?
In his book Antiquity, historian Norman Cantor said Hippolytus displayed the unbalanced personality of a tragic hero. He adds that all of the main characters sinned against the gods; Phaedra by means of her suicide, Hippolytus because of his excessive purity, and Theseus's through his anger.
What is the meaning of Hippolytus?
Definition of Hippolytus : a son of Theseus falsely accused of amorous advances by his stepmother and killed by his father through the agency of Poseidon.
Who raised Hippolytus?
A later legend describes Hippolytus as a chaste huntsman and a favourite of Artemis, who was raised from the dead by Aesculapius, and taken by the goddess to the sacred grove of Diana at Aricia in Latium, where he was worshipped with the goddess under the name of Virbius.
Why does Phaedra fall in love with Hippolytus?
She was the wife of Theseus, but she fell in love with her husband's son, Hippolytus. According to a version of the story, Hippolytus had mocked Aphrodite by telling her to be a virginal devotee of Artemis; so, Aphrodite made Phaedra fall for him, but he rejected her love.
What reward does Artemis offer to Hippolytus near the end of the play?
Artemis, in turn, promises Hippolytus two things: that she will avenge his death by killing Aphrodite's most beloved mortal (though he is not named, she thinks of Adonis), and that she will make sure that his name is never forgotten in the land of Troezen by establishing a cult in his honor.
Is Hippolytus a tragic hero?
In his book Antiquity, historian Norman Cantor said Hippolytus displayed the unbalanced personality of a tragic hero. He adds that all of the main characters sinned against the gods; Phaedra by means of her suicide, Hippolytus because of his excessive purity, and Theseus's through his anger.
Does Theseus banish Phaedra?
Theseus' queen, Phaedra, fell in love with Hippolytus. When Phaedra's passion was revealed to him, he reacted with such revulsion that she killed herself, leaving a note accusing Hippolytus of having tried to rape her. Theseus, refusing to believe Hippolytus' protestations of innocence, banished him and called…
Who wrote the book The Death of Hippolytus?
The Death of Hippolytus, by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836–1912).
What does the name Hippolytus mean?
The meaning of Hippolytus' name is ironically ambiguous. Ἱππό translates to "horse", and the element -λυτος (from λύω "loosen, destroy") suggests the adjective λυτός, -ή, -όν "which may be undone, destroyed." His name thereby takes on the prophetic meaning "destroyed by horses".
Where is the Hippolytus mosaic?
Part of the mosaic of Hippolytus in the Archaeological Park of Madaba, Jordan.
Who resuscitated Diana?
Diana returning to Aricia Hippolytus resuscitated by Aesculapius.
Where did Hippolytus and Pontian die?
Also under this view: during the persecution at the time of Emperor Maximinus Thrax, Hippolytus and Pontian were exiled together in 235 to Sardinia, likely dying in the mines. It is quite probable that, before his death there, he was reconciled to the other party at Rome, for, under Pope Fabian (236–250 AD), his body and that of Pontian were brought to Rome. The so-called Chronography of 354 (more precisely, the Liberian Catalogue) reports that on August 13, probably in 236, the two bodies were interred in Rome, that of Hippolytus in a cemetery on the Via Tiburtina, his funeral being conducted by Justin the Confessor. This document indicates that, by about 255, Hippolytus was considered a martyr and gives him the rank of a priest, not of a bishop, an indication that before his death the schismatic was received again into the Church.
Why did Hippolytus lose his name?
The facts about the life of the writer Hippolytus, as opposed to other celebrated Christians who bore the name Hippolytus, were eventually lost in the West, perhaps partly because he wrote in Hellenic Greek.
How did Hippolytus influence the world?
The influence of Hippolytus was felt chiefly through his works on chronography and ecclesiastical law. His chronicle of the world, a compilation embracing the whole period from the creation of the world up to the year 234, formed a basis for many chronographical works both in the East and West.
Why is the feast of St. Hippolytus on January 30?
Because on the Apodosis the hymns of the Transfiguration are to be repeated , the feast of St. Hippolytus may be transferred to the day before or to some other convenient day. The Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates the feast of "St Hippolytus Pope of Rome" on January 30, who may or may not be the same individual.
Where did Hippolytus live?
170 – c. 235 AD) was one of the most important second-third century Christian theologians, whose provenance, identity and corpus remain elusive to scholars and historians. Suggested communities include Palestine, Egypt, Anatolia, Rome and regions of the mideast.
What are the spheres of Hippolytus' writings?
Hippolytus' voluminous writings, which for variety of subject can be compared with those of Origen, embrace the spheres of exegesis, homiletics, apologetics and polemic, chronography, and ecclesiastical law.
What is the most important book of Hippolytus?
In the Victorian Era, scholars claimed his principal work to be the Refutation of all Heresies. Of its ten books, Book I was the most important. It was long known and was printed (with the title Philosophumena) among the works of Origen. Books II and III are lost, and Books IV–X were found, without the name of the author, in a monastery of Mount Athos in 1842. E. Miller published them in 1851 under the title Philosophumena, attributing them to Origen of Alexandria. Recent scholarship prefers to treat the text as the work of an unknown author, perhaps of Roman origin.
What is the surviving Hippolytus?
To distinguish between the two, some time in history, a subtitle was added to both tragedies, so, the surviving Hippolytus (especially by scholars) is also known as Hippolytus the Wreath-Bearer, while the lost play is almost always referred to as Hippolytus Veiled.
Who is the mortal that avenged Hippolytus?
In the meantime, Hippolytus ’ battered body is brought on the stage: with his dying breath, he forgives his father who, in turn, curses cruel Aphrodite and the extent of his own misery. Artemis promises to avenge Hippolytus, by killing Aphrodite ’s favorite mortal, Adonis.
Why is Phaedra afraid of Hippolytus?
The reason is terrifying: Phaedra has overheard Hippolytus calling her nurse “pander for the wicked,” and she is sure that her identity is hidden beneath the last word. “She has destroyed me by speaking of my troubles,” cries Phaedra as she heads for the palace.
Why was the lost play not well received in Ancient Greece?
As far as we can deduce from the available evidence, the lost play was not well received in Ancient Greece, probably because Hippolytus was seduced directly by Phaedra —an act which may have greatly offended the original audience of the tragedy.
Why does Aphrodite punish Hippolytus?
To punish him for shunning love and sexual pleasures from his earthly affairs , Aphrodite makes Hippolytus ’ stepmother Phaedra fall in love with him. This is what Phaedra reveals to her aged nurse at the beginning of the play as the reason why she hasn’t eaten or slept in three days.
What did Theseus do after learning of the terrible news from the Chorus?
After learning of the terrible news from the Chorus, Theseus finds his dead wife’s note and, upon reading it, orders the exile of Hippolytus. He also curses him with death, imploring his father Poseidon to make this wish a reality.
What does Hippolytus promise the nurse?
After venting himself out of his initial anger, Hippolytus promises the nurse to stay loyal to his oath, being a pious and sincere man . This, however, is not enough for Phaedra, who, after happening upon the nurse, condemns her for her betrayal and dismisses her from her duties.
What does the nurse tell Hippolytus?
The nurse, after making Hippolytus swear not to tell anyone, informs Hippolytus of Phaedra's desire and suggests that Hippolytus consider yielding to her. He reacts with a furious tirade and threatens to tell his father, Theseus, everything as soon as he arrives. Phaedra realizes disaster has fallen.
What is the last scene of the play in which Hippolytus forgives his father?
Hippolytus is carried in physically battered and barely clinging to life. In the last moments of the play, Hippolytus forgives his father, kind words are exchanged between father and son, and then Hippolytus dies. Theseus is then left living to dwell on that fact that killed his beloved son.
What myth does Euripides revisit?
Euripides revisits the myth in Hippolytos Stephanophoros, its title referring to the garlands Hippolytus wears as a worshipper of Artemis. In this version Phaedra fights against her own sexual desires, which have been incited by Aphrodite. Phaedra agonizing over her love for Hippolytus. Phèdre by Alexandre Cabanel.
When was the play Hippolytos Kalyptomenos first performed?
The play was first produced for the City Dionysia of Athens in 428 BC and won first prize as part of a trilogy. Euripides first treated the myth in a previous play, Hippolytos Kalyptomenos ( Ἱππόλυτος καλυπτόμενος – Hippolytus Veiled ), which is now lost; what is known of it is based on echoes found in other ancient writings.
Why does Theseus return to Phaedra's body?
Theseus returns and discovers his wife's dead body. Because the chorus is sworn to secrecy, they cannot tell Theseus why she killed herself. Theseus discovers a letter on Phaedra's body, which falsely asserts that she was raped by Hippolytus. Enraged, Theseus curses his son either to death or at least exile.
Who is the antagonist in Ovid's Metamorphoses?
The main antagonist of both stories is Aphrodite who seeks revenge on both for insulting her by remaining virgins. They are also both obsessed with remaining pure.
Who is the god that Theseus cursed?
Enraged, Theseus curses his son either to death or at least exile. To execute the curse, Theseus calls upon his father, the god Poseidon, who has promised to grant his son three wishes. Hippolytus enters and protests his innocence but cannot tell the truth because of the binding oath that he swore.
What did Hippolytus blame for the suffering?
He blames an ancient unresolved crime among his ancestors for the suffering. At last Hippolytus, dying, is carried onto the stage by his friends and set down before Theseus. Both feel enormous pain and sadness for the other.
What happened to Hippolytus' chariot?
Just as Hippolytus mounted his chariot to depart along the shore, an earthquake rumbled, a massive wave appeared , and then from the wave a bull ran forth and chased Hippolytus. As an able charioteer, Hippolytus did his best to escape, but the bull caused the chariot to collide with a cliff and flip.
What does the chorus hear when Phaidra is hung?
Shortly after, the chorus, still outside the palace, hears shouting. Phaidra has hung herself, and her life expires before anybody can help. Just then, Theseus returns from visiting an oracle, wearing a crown of flowers that, ironically, indicates a favorable response.
What does Aphrodite say about Phaidra?
The play begins when the goddess Aphrodite appears and explains that she has grown angry. Hippolytus, she explains, the bastard son of Theseus, has devoted himself too fully to virginity and the goddess Artemis, and arrogantly rejects the power of sexuality and desire. As a result, Aphrodite says, she has caused Phaidra, ...
Who tells the truth to Theseus?
Suddenly, Artemis appears high above the stage. At once, she tells the whole truth to Theseus, who can hardly bear to hear how he believed the false accusation against Hippolytus, refused to wait for a fair trial, and called down the irreversible fatal curse.
What was Phaidra's greatest fear?
Even though Phaidra’s greatest fear was that the truth of her terrible desire would spread, ruining her reputation, the nurse finds Hippolytus and, after having him swear an oath of silence, propositions him with the prospect of having a sexual relationship with Phaidra. Hippolytus cruelly denounces Phaidra’s desire.
Overview
Hippolytus in Euripides
Euripides' tragedy Hippolytus describes the death of the eponymous hero after a confrontation with his stepmother Phaedra, the second wife of Theseus. Cursed by Aphrodite, Phaedra falls so ardently in love with Hippolytus that she becomes physically ill and decides to end her suffering through suicide. Her nurse tries to save her by revealing the secret to Hippolytus and encouraging him to reciprocate. Hippolytus responds only with horror and disgust, humiliating Phaedra. In de…
Etymology
The meaning of Hippolytus' name is ironically ambiguous. Ἱππό translates to "horse", and the element -λυτος (from λύω "loosen, destroy") suggests the adjective λυτός, -ή, -όν "which may be undone, destroyed." His name thereby takes on the prophetic meaning "destroyed by horses".
Premise of the myth
Hippolytus is a hunter and sportsman who is disgusted by sex and marriage. In consequence, he scrupulously worships Artemis, the virgin huntress, and refuses to honor Aphrodite. Offended by this neglect, Aphrodite causes Phaedra, Hippolytus’ stepmother, to fall in love with him; Hippolytus rejects Phaedra’s advances, setting events in motion that lead to his death in a fall from his chariot.
Gallery
• Esculape rend la vie à Hippolyte by Abel de Pujol
• Hippolytus, Phaedra and Theseus. German School, 18th Century
• Part of the mosaic of Hippolytus in the Archaeological Park of Madaba, Jordan.
See also
• Rex Nemorensis
• The Golden Bough
• Phaedra complex
• Ippolito ed Aricia
• Hippolyte et Aricie
External links
• Media related to Hippolytus at Wikimedia Commons
• Hippolytus for details on the figure of Hippolytus and a classicist's philological study of the evolution of Hippolytus as a chastity paradigm in Euripides, Seneca, Racine; extensive bibliography (in Dutch)
Overview
Hippolytus of Rome was one of the most important second-third century Christian theologians, whose provenance, identity and corpus remain elusive to scholars and historians. Suggested communities include Rome, Palestine, Egypt, Anatolia and other regions of the Middle East. The best historians of literature in the ancient church, including Eusebius of Caesarea and Jerome, openly confess they cannot name where Hippolytus the biblical commentator and theologian se…
Legends
The name Hippolytus appears in various hagiographical and martyrological sources of the early Church. The facts about the life of the writer Hippolytus, as opposed to other celebrated Christians who bore the name Hippolytus, were eventually lost in the West, perhaps partly because he wrote in Hellenic Greek. Pope Damasus I dedicated to a Hippolytus one of his famous epigrams, referring to a priest of the Novatianist schism, a view later forwarded by Prudentius in th…
Life
Little is known for certain about his community of origin. One Victorian theory suggested that as a presbyter of the church at Rome under Pope Zephyrinus (199–217 AD), Hippolytus was distinguished for his learning and eloquence. It was at this time that Origen, then a young man, heard him preach.
In this view, Hippolytus accused Pope Zephyrinus of modalism, the heresy which held that the na…
Writings
Controversy surrounds the corpus of the writer Hippolytus. In the Victorian Era, scholars claimed his principal work to be the Refutation of all Heresies. Of its ten books, Book I was the most important. It was long known and was printed (with the title Philosophumena) among the works of Origen. Books II and III are lost, and Books IV–X were found, without the name of the author, in a monastery of Mount Athos in 1842. E. Miller published them in 1851 under the title Philosophum…
Eschatology
Hippolytus is an important figure in the development of Christian eschatology. In his biblical compendium and topical study On Christ and the Antichrist and in his Commentary on the Prophet Daniel Hippolytus gave his interpretation of the second advent of Christ.
With the onset of persecutions during the reign of Septimius Severus, many early Christian writers treated topics of apocalyptic eschatology. On Christ and the Antichrist is one of the earliest wor…
Feast days
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the feast day of St Hippolytus falls on August 13, which is also the Apodosis of the Feast of the Transfiguration. Because on the Apodosis the hymns of the Transfiguration are to be repeated, the feast of St. Hippolytus may be transferred to the day before or to some other convenient day. The Eastern Orthodox Church also celebrates the feast of "St Hippolytus Pope of Rome" on January 30, who may or may not be the same individual.
See also
• Apostolic Tradition
• Epistle to Diognetus
• Canons of Hippolytus
• Josephus's Discourse to the Greeks concerning Hades (actually by Hippolytus)
Further reading
• Aragione, Gabriella, and Enrico Norelli (Eds) (2011) Des évêques, des écoles et des hérétiques. Actes du colloque international sur la Réfutation de toutes les hérésies, Genève, 13-14 juin 2008 Éditions du Zèbre, 2011
• Brent, Allen (1995). Hippolytus and the Roman church in the third century : communities in tension before the emergence of a monarch-bishop. Leiden: Brill. ISBN 978-90-04-10245-3.