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what is the curse of atreus

by Ben Stracke Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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This was a hereditary curse, plaguing the family for five generations with a vicious cycle of murder and revenge. The curse of the House of Atreus began when its founder, Tantalus, offended the gods by serving them a feast made of the dismembered remains of his own son, Pelops, in an attempt to test their omniscience.Feb 21, 2022

Full Answer

What is the curse on the House of Atreus?

The Curse on the House of Atreus is one of the most tragic and famous in Greek Mythology. From the story of Tantalus to the Oresteia, tragedy and suffering fall upon this family, creating a fascinating story that captivates readers still thousands of years later. Morford, M. P. O. & Lenardon, R. J. (1999).

Who is Atreus in God of war?

Atreus (Greek: Ἀτρεύς) is the son of Kratos and Laufey and the deuteragonist of God of War (2018). To the Jötnar, he is known as Loki (Nordic: ᛚᛟᚲᛁ ).

What is the House of Atreus in Greek mythology?

The House of Atreus was a family line from Greek mythology; with the stories of the individual family members being amongst the original Greek Tragedies. Greek tragedies emerged in the 6th century BC, and were written for, and performed at, many of the ancient games.

What did Atreus do to his brother?

Atreus became king of the region called Mycenae. Meanwhile, his younger brother Thyestes betrayed him by seducing his wife. In retaliation, Atreus murdered Thyestes’ children and invited his unwitting brother to dinner.

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What crime did Atreus commit?

Atreus and his twin brother Thyestes were exiled by their father for murdering their half-brother Chrysippus in their desire for the throne of Olympia.

How does the curse of Atreus end?

The Curse on the House of Atreus finally ended with them after asking for forgiveness from the goddess Athena. The Murder of Agamemnon by Clytemnestra, by Nicolò Monti. The crimes of Tantalus, son of Zeus, were inherited by Pelops who then passed them onto his sons, Atreus and Thyestes.

Why is the House of Atreus important?

The House of Atreus can be traced back to Tantalus, king of Lydia. He invited the gods to a banquet and served the flesh of his own son, Pelops, in a stew to test their omniscience. All of the gods recognized what they were served immediately except Demeter.

What does Atreus do to get his revenge?

Thyestes sparks the feud by sleeping with his brother's wife, stealing his golden fleece, and sneakily taking the throne of Mycenae from him. After taking back the crown, Atreus gets revenge on his brother by killing Thyestes' sons and tricking his brother into eating the boys for dinner.

What god is Kratos?

In Greek mythology, Kratos (or Cratos) is the divine personification of strength. He is the son of Pallas and Styx.

What god is Kratos son?

It's revealed in God of War towards the very end that Kratos' son, who goes by Atreus, is actually the Norse god Loki. MCU fans will definitely be familiar with this character, but within Norse mythology, he is a Trickster god who is the driving force behind Ragnarok.

What race is Atreus?

Divine-Jötnar Physiology: Atreus is the son of Kratos, a Greek divine being and the former God of War, and son to Zeus, and Laufey, a powerful Jötnar Giant. As a result of this, Atreus has a tremendous physiology, making him a hybrid of the Greek and Norse pantheon.

How is Atreus Loki?

Atreus Has Already Fulfilled One of Loki's Responsibilities Loki is one of the major gods in the Norse pantheon, and as such there are a few specific responsibilities he has in Norse prophecy. One of Loki's most important roles has already been fulfilled by Atreus: the death of Baldur.

What was Pelops curse?

Pelops also fathered Chrysippus, after courting the nymph Axioche. Myrtilus tried to rape Hippodamia, and Pelops killed him; before dying though, Myrtilus cursed Pelops and his descendants; a curse that was the doom of the whole dynasty.

Why was the family of Atreus cursed?

This was a hereditary curse, plaguing the family for five generations with a vicious cycle of murder and revenge. The curse of the House of Atreus began when its founder, Tantalus, offended the gods by serving them a feast made of the dismembered remains of his own son, Pelops, in an attempt to test their omniscience.

Why does Kratos not like Atreus?

Initially, Atreus thought his father would go out to hunt. Kratos never took Atreus hunting due to Faye's request, as Atreus was a very sickly kid. Because of this, Kratos and Atreus barely had time with one another, which is why their relationship is so distant at the beginning of the game.

Is Atreus Thor's brother?

Atreus is Thor's half brother.

Does Atreus find out Kratos is a god?

Atreus then learns that Kratos came from Sparta, and admits that he sole his life to a god, and killed his father Zeus.

Does Atreus betray Kratos?

It's not surprising that fans would conclude that Atreus, now revealed as the Norse god of deceit, will betray and kill his father in the next game.

How did Kratos end up in Midgard?

One of the most obvious forms of transportation to ferry him from his destroyed homeland to Midgard is a vehicle used frequently in God of War 4: a boat. After the flood at the end of God of War 3, Kratos left Greece and made his way to the realm of Midgard.

What was the prophecy at the end of God of War?

The prophecy foretold in Jutunheim revealed in God of War's ending all came true, so players should expect Ragnarok to occur - unless Kratos (and players) can take on destiny itself.

What is the curse of the house of Atreus?

The curse of the house of Atreus is the inherent evil, deception, and murder that takes place generation after generation in the lineage of Atreus.

Who belongs to the House of Atreus?

All descendants of Atreus belong to the House of Atreus. This includes Thyestes, Aegisthus, Agamemnon, Orestes, and many more that originated from...

What crime did Atreus commit?

Thyestes and Atreus murdered their half-brother Chrysippus in an attempt to keep the throne to themselves. Their mother was also a part in the murder.

How did the House of Atreus get cursed?

The House of Atreus began its cursed lineage with the greed of King Tantalus, a descendant of Zeus who was allowed to dine with the gods. He fed hi...

Who was Atreus?

Who is Atreus? How old is Atreus? The House of Atreus is a lineage in Greek mythology of mortals who were cursed by the Olympian gods. The curse began with Tantalus, an ancient king of Lydia, and his unforgivable behavior towards his son, Pelops. The treacherous conduct continued with the grandchildren of King Tantalus, Atreus, and Thyestes. Atreus is best known for the tragedies involving his family. The cycle of malicious behavior, misfortune, and greed continued with every generation of the House of Atreus.

Who was Atreus revenge on?

Atreus would seek revenge on his brother, Thyestes, and attempt to claim the throne of Mycenae for himself. Atreus announced that Zeus wanted him to be king, as he was the oldest brother. He declared that if Zeus, the king of the cosmos, made the sun rise in the West and set in the East, he would be the rightful king. Normally, the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, so Thyestes agreed to the terms. The next day, the sun reversed its order, and Atreus was made the king of Mycenae. In retaliation, Atreus killed Thyeste's children and served them to him in a meal. Thyestes was exiled, and the curse of the House of Atreus would linger.

Why did Thyestes and Atreus murder their half brother?

Thyestes and Atreus murdered their half-brother Chrysippus in an attempt to keep the throne to themselves. Their mother was also a part in the murder.

What is the relationship between Electra and Orestes?

Electra and Orestes are close in Greek mythology. When presented with the supposed ashes of Orestes, Electra flies into a rage. She seeks revenge on her mother, Clytemnestra, and kills her. The House of Atreus is filled with anger and revenge for generations as the curse lives on in their lineage.

What is the House of Atreus?

The House of Atreus is a multi-generational curse of mistrust, murder, and mayhem that is embedded in the lineage of Atreus. It begins with King Tantalus, and his attempt at deceiving the gods into eating his son, Pelops. The curse continued with Atreus and his sons, Agamemnon and Menelaus.

What is Aegisthus depicted continuing?

Aegisthus is depicted continuing the curse of the House of Atreus.

What is the House of Aretus family tree?

The House of Aretus family tree was one of deceitful intentions and exploits that continued to infiltrate the lineage for generations to come. This lesson will focus on the House of Atreus and their family tree, along with the curse of the House of Atreus. This lesson will begin by focusing on the origin of the curse with the introduction of King Tantalus and his betrayal of the gods and his son, Pelops. Then, it will dive into Atreus and his intricate altercations with his younger brother, Thyestes.

The Sordid Tale

The story actually didn’t start with Atreus, but by the time Atreus was born, the curse was obvious to all. It started with Pelops, who was the son of Tantalus, who was one of the many sons of Zeus.

Over the generations

With both Pelops and Tantalus out of the picture, we turn to the third generation which was caught in the curse. Pelops had two sons, Atreus and Thyestes. These two, like their father and grandfather, were bad to the bone.

Brought down by women

Agamemnon and Menelaus were once compatible co-rulers of their kingdom. Then the brothers made a dreadful mistake in their choice of wives.

Stain on the House of Atreus

At that point, Agamemnon’s son Orestes, who had been raised in a distant land, was called home by his sister Electra. These two represented generation #6 of the curse.

What did the Greeks believe about the curse?

They thought that the crimes of a person’s ancestors could be passed on over generations, through a blood line. Miasma would attach itself to people who committed crimes like parricide (the murder of a close family member) and revenge killings. The most famous mythological example of this is the House of Atreus, a family who carried a curse over several generations as a result of the guilt of their ancestor, Tantalus. The story is quite complicated, but this family tree may act as a guide.

Who were Orestes and Electra?

Orestes and Electra were the surviving son and daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. Following Agamemnon’s death, they were obligated to take revenge on the killers of their father, according to Ancient Greek moral code, even if it meant they had to murder their mother. They prayed at Agamemnon’s tomb and Orestes killed Aegisthus and Clytemnestra. He fled his mother’s body, pursued by the Furies, three female goddesses tied to vengeance and blood crime. Orestes found sanctity at Delphi, where the Oracle told him to stand trial for his deed at Athens. A jury of citizens had to decide which crime was worse: Orestes letting the murder of his father go unavenged, or Orestes killing his mother. The jury was deadlocked, but the goddess Athena cast the deciding vote and he was proclaimed not guilty.

Who was the king of Mycenae?

Thyestes once more became the king of Mycenae, banishing his nephews Agamemnon and Menelaus. They went to Sparta, where they allied themselves with King Tyndareus. When the brothers returned to Mycenae with a Spartan army, there was nothing to stop them taking the throne and killing Thyestes. Agamemnon became the king with the Spartan princess Clytemnestra as his wife. Menealus married her sister, Helen, and inherited the Spartan throne.

What is the punishment of Tartarus?

His punishment? Eternal hunger and thirst in the darkest recesses of the underworld ( Tartarus) and a bloodline with filth in its veins.

Who stops Aegisthus from killing the chorus?

Aegisthus goes on to show a further injustice when he tries to kill the Chorus, only to be stopped by Clytemnestra:

What is the manner of Clytemnestra's death?

All that remains is the manner of his death which, although just, still manages to sicken and disturb. Clytemnestra murders her husband in his bath. Though ‘murder’ is not quite accurate, she sacrifices him, much as he had sacrificed Iphigenia:

Who is Agamemnon's wife?

Agamemnon, (great-grandson of Tantalus) has returned from leading the Greeks to victory in the Trojan War and is greeted at the door by his ‘loving’ wife Clytemnestra. From this moment on we witness what has, for her, been years in the planning: the total destruction of Agamemnon.

Is Clytemnestra loving?

Describing Clytemnestra as ‘loving’ is not facetious. Her strength of hate is borne from her strength of love, what we know as philos-aphilos. Clytemnestra’s hate for Agamemnon overtook/replaced her love for him when he killed their daughter Iphigenia in a religious sacrifice (without which the Greeks couldn’t have sailed to Troy).

Who are the cursed elements of the House of Atreus?

​The cursed elements of the House of Atreus normally concentrate on the children of Pelops, Atreus and Thyestes, although the other children of Pelops, and also the children of Broteas and Niobe, had various degrees of misfortune.

What is the House of Atreus?

The House of Atreus was a family line from Greek mythology; with the stories of the individual family members being amongst the original Greek Tragedies.

Who is the house of Atreus named after?

The House of Atreus is named for the father of Agamemnon and Menelaus, famous figures from the stories of the Trojan War, but the family line is normally traced back to Tantalus, and then on through a further four generations, until the time of Orestes, a son of Agamemnon.

Who bribed Myrtilus?

Pelops bribed Myrtilus, the servant of Oenomaus, to sabotage the king chariot, and in the subsequent race, King Oenomaus was killed in a chariot crash. Pelops though reneged on his promise to Myrtilus, and threw the servant over a cliff; upon the point of death, would curse Pelops and his descendants, further cursing the House of Atreus.

Who is the son of Tantalus?

Pelops Pelops it the most famous son of Tantalus, for aside from being resurrected by the gods, Pelops would also ultimately give his name to the Peloponnesian peninsula.

Who was the daughter of Tantalus?

Niobe – Niobe , the daughter of Tantalus, would wed Amphion and become queen of Thebes, overly proud of giving birth to seven sons and seven daughters; Niobe would proclaim herself a better mother than the goddess Leto. Niobe ’s children were promptly stuck down by Apollo and Artemis, the children of Leto. A grief stricken Leto would subsequently be turned to stone where she continued to weep.

Who was Menelaus' wife?

Aside from having his wife, Helen, abducted by Paris, Menelaus’ life was relatively free from issue, especially compared with that of his brother Agamemnon.

Who is Atreus in God of War?

Atreus (Greek: Ἀτρεύς) is the son of Kratos and Laufey and the deuteragonist of God of War (2018). To the Jötnar, he is known as Loki .

What animal did Atreus encounter?

Sometime later on the journey, they encounter a boar . This time Atreus lands a critical blow to the animal, but is caught up in the thrill of the chase and follows the boar, leaving his father behind. He eventually catches up to the boar being tended to by a witch who says the boar is her friend.

Why is Kratos' son Atreus named Loki?

However, Kratos decided to name his son Atreus because of a young Spartan soldier he commanded. The soldier remained hopeful even in the darkest of times, and sacrificed himself in battle in order to save his companions. At the end of the story, it is revealed that Atreus is named Loki by his mother.

How did Atreus cause Baldur's death?

Atreus causes Baldur 's death by breaking the spell with a mistletoe arrow shard; Loki causes Baldur's death by giving the blind god Höðr a mistletoe arrow, and then tricking him into shooting Baldur. Mimir says that Jörmungandr somehow recognizes Atreus; Jörmungandr is a son of Loki in the myths.

What does Kratos order Atreus to do?

However, a stranger arrives at their doorstep soon after they head home. Kratos orders Atreus to hide in the basement while he confronts the stranger. After Kratos fights and wins against the stranger, he heads back to the house and orders Atreus to prepare for the journey, declaring their home no longer safe.

Why is Atreus quiet?

When he is asked, of why he's quiet, Atreus responds that he overheard his father call him cursed and regretted that he was 'not what his father wanted' and for his curse. Kratos tells him that he is a god, which astonishes him, and Kratos explains that the curse is a lifetime of misery and trauma.

How strong is Atreus?

Superhuman Strength: While not up to the extent of his father, Atreus appears to have a decent level of superhuman strength, as he was able to aid his father Kratos in pushing Thamur's Hammer, though how much of the moving Atreus is actually contributing to is unknown. He also apparently has little trouble brandishing the Leviathan Axe, which is almost as large as he is. He was even capable of staggering Baldur and causing him to bleed. This strength, however, seems to be irregular as Atreus struggles to lift a Pschent stuck on his head in Tyr's Temple. This could be attributed to his sickness making him weaker than he should have been.

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