Stratonice (wife of Melaneus)

In Greek mythology, Stratonice (Ancient Greek: Στρατoνίκη from στρατός "army" and νίκη "victory") was a Calydonian princess as the daughter of King Porthaon and Laothoe. She was the sister of Eurythemiste and Sterope.[1]

Mythology

When Stratonice and her sisters grew up, they left their parents to live in the mountains. According to Hesiod, they were "like goddesses, skilled in very beautiful works" and the companions of "the beautiful haired nymphs and of the Muses on the wooded mountains".[2]

When Apollo intended to make Stratonice the bride of his son Melaneus, the princess accompanied the god to marry his son. Since Stratonice was her own kuria (authority), Apollo carried her away without giving her father any bridal gifts (hedna)[3] and brought her to Oechalia.[4] After marrying Melaneus she became the queen of Oechalia and gave birth to their dear son, the famous archer Eurytus.[5]

Notes

  1. Hesiod, Ehoiai 79
  2. Hesiod, Ehoiai fr. 23
  3. Bridegroom's gift to the bride's father or the bride herself
  4. Morris Silver, Slave-Wives, Single Women and “Bastards” in the Ancient Greek World: Law and Economic Perspectives
  5. Scholaist on Sophocles, Trachiniae 268

References

  • Hesiod, Catalogue of Women from Homeric Hymns, Epic Cycle, Homerica translated by Evelyn-White, H G. Loeb Classical Library Volume 57. London: William Heinemann, 1914. Online version at theio.com


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