Pelops

Pelops

In Greek mythology, Pelops was the king of Pisa in the Peloponnesus region, which means "Pelops's Island." He was the son of Tantalus and the father of Atreus.

Pelops was very important in old stories. People honored him at Olympia. His story started the Olympic Games. These games brought people together from all over the Greek world. At Olympia, people would offer drinks to Pelops at night before they offered them to the sky-god Zeus during the day.

Family

Pelops was the son of Tantalus and one of several possible mothers, including Dione, Euryanassa, Eurythemista, or Clytia. Some stories say he was a bastard son of Tantalus, or even the child of Atlas and the nymph Linos. Others claim he was the son of Hermes and Calyce, or an Achaean from Olenus.

Pelops came from either Phrygia or Lydia to Greece, where he won a chariot race against King Oenomaus and took control of Pisa or Olympia. He then married Oenomaus's daughter, Hippodamia. Together, they had many children, including Pittheus, Troezen, Alcathous, Dimoetes, Atreus, Thyestes, and others.

Mythology

Pelops was the son of Tantalus and became the king of Pisa in the Peloponnese region. His father made a big mistake, but the gods saved Pelops and gave him a new ivory shoulder.

As an adult, Pelops wanted to marry Hippodamia, the daughter of King Oenomaus. Her father did not want this and had stopped many others before. Pelops asked Poseidon for help and got special winged horses. With these horses, Pelops won a race and married Hippodamia.

After winning, Pelops began races to honor the gods and King Oenomaus. These races helped start the ancient Olympic Games. Pelops became a great king and gave his name to the Peloponnese region. His family had many problems later because of what happened before.

Cult

Origin

Pelops is thought to have come from places in Asia, such as Phrygia or Lydia. Some stories say he was from Paphlagonia, a land far away. Others believe he was born in Greece, maybe from Olenos in Achaia or from Arcadia.

Shrines

There was a special place to honor Pelops at Olympia called the Pelopion. It was near where Pelops was buried by a river. People would quietly bring offerings to Pelops at night. His old bones were kept close by.