Astynome

The daughter of Chryses, whence she is also called Chryseïs (Χρυσηίς), a priest of Apollo. She was taken prisoner by Achilles in the Hypoplacian Thebe or in Lyrnessus, whither she had been sent by her father for protection, or, according to others, to attend the celebration of a festival of Artemis, and became the slave of Agamemnon.

Chryses tried to ransom her but was roughly repulsed and insulted by Agamemnon. In revenge, Apollo sent a plague among the Greek camp, which would not stop until Astynome had been returned to her father. Angrily, Agamemnon compensated himself by claiming Briseis, Achilles' war-prize, which led to a fatal conflict between the two Greeks.

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Iconography

Chryseis is portrayed on a few Greek vases dealing with the Trojan war, such as an Attic skyphos by Hieron and Macron (ca. 490 BCE; at the Louvre).

References

Sources

  • Aken, Dr. A.R.A. van. (1961). Elseviers Mythologische Encyclopedie. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
  • Dictys Cretensis, ii, 17.
  • Eustathius on Homer, p. pp. 77, 118.
  • Homer. Iliad i, 111, 143, 378.
  • Hyginus. Fabulae, 106, 121.
  • Smith, William. (1870). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. London: Taylor, Walton, and Maberly.