Phaedra and Hippolytus
Phaedra's destructive love for Hippolytus leads Theseus to curse his own son and brings tragedy to the Athenian royal house.
The Story
Hippolytus was the son of Theseus and an Amazon woman, commonly Antiope or Hippolyta depending on the tradition.
He was especially devoted to Artemis.
Hippolytus rejected Aphrodite and the sphere of sexuality and desire that she represented.
This refusal angered the goddess.
Aphrodite caused Phaedra, the wife of Theseus and therefore Hippolytus' stepmother, to fall desperately in love with him.
Phaedra struggled against the emotion.
In Euripides' influential tragedy, her nurse reveals the secret to Hippolytus despite Phaedra's attempts to conceal it.
Hippolytus rejects the idea with horror.
Phaedra, fearing disgrace and overwhelmed by the situation, takes her own life.
But she leaves behind an accusation against Hippolytus.
Theseus discovers the accusation and believes his son has violated the royal household.
He calls upon Poseidon to punish Hippolytus.
As Hippolytus drives his chariot near the coast, a terrifying bull emerges from the sea.
The horses panic.
Hippolytus is thrown from the chariot and fatally injured.
Only afterward does Artemis reveal the truth.
Theseus realises that he has condemned an innocent son.
Father and son are briefly reconciled before Hippolytus dies.
The tragedy is not caused by a simple villain.
Phaedra, Hippolytus and Theseus are all trapped within a conflict shaped by divine anger, human secrecy, pride and mistaken judgment.
Key Figures
Why It Matters
The story explores desire, reputation, divine power and the consequences of acting on false information. It is one of the major Greek tragic traditions associated with Theseus' family.
Traditions & Variations
Phaedra's character varies considerably between ancient versions. Euripides himself wrote more than one treatment of the story. The identity of Hippolytus' Amazon mother also differs between traditions.