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 ancient stories and was honored at Olympia. His story became the beginning tale of the Olympic Games, which brought together people from all over the Greek world. At the special place in 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 later became the king of Pisa in the Peloponnese region. His father Tantalus made a terrible mistake by serving Pelops as food to the gods, but the gods saved him and brought him back to life, giving him a new ivory shoulder.

As an adult, Pelops wished to marry Hippodamia, the daughter of King Oenomaus. Her father did not want him to marry her because of a prophecy and had killed many suitors before Pelops. Pelops asked Poseidon, who had helped him before, for magical winged horses to win the chariot race against Oenomaus. With the help of these horses and sometimes tricky actions by others, Pelops won the race and married Hippodamia.

After his victory, Pelops started chariot races to honor the gods and King Oenomaus. These races inspired the ancient Olympic Games. Pelops became a great king and gave his name to the Peloponnese region. His family faced many troubles and curses over the generations because of past actions.

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, and there were stories about them being taken to places far away and then found again.