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Play-titles and Fragments
Αθάμας (Athamas)
(“Athamas”)
Discussion Edmonds 2,312f.; PCG 2,213; Llopis/ Gomez/ Asensio 293; Papa-
chrysostomou 30-32
Title The title strongly suggests a mythological theme. Antiphanes also
wrote a comic play entitled Αθάμας (PCG 2,318). But the mythological fig-
ure of Athamas was more popular among the tragic poets: Aeschylus (TrGF
3,123-125), Sophocles (Αθάμας a' et β', TrGF4,99-102), and Astydamas (TrGF
1,200) produced tragedies called Αθάμας. Xenocles composed a homonymous
satyr play (TrGF 1,153), whilst Euripides wrote a play entitled Τνώ (TrGF
5.1,442-455), after one of Athamas’ wives. Later, the Roman tragic poets
Ennius and Accius also wrote plays entitled Athamas.
Athamas was one of Aeolus’ sons and ruler of Boeotia. He was best known
for his three wives and his tragic fate, summed up in Sophocles fr. 4: ώς ών
άπαις τε κάγύναιξ κάνέστιος (/zow being childless, wifeless, and homeless').
The tradition is not unanimous with regard to the details of his life and the
order of his wives. The basic plotline unfolds as follows: Nephele bore to
Athamas Phrixus and Helle, Themisto gave him Leucon, Erythrius, Schoeneus,
and Ptous, and Ino gave him Learchus and Melicertes. But Ino mischievously
plotted against the children of Nephele; she told the women of the community
to parch the wheat seeds, so that no crops would grow. This forced Athamas
to send for an oracle, whose response - forged by Ino who wished to see
Nephele’s children being killed - asked for the sacrificial killing of Phrixus
and Helle. The imminent sacrifice was averted by Nephele’s intervention, who
supplied her children with a ram with a golden fleece that bore Phrixus and
Helle away through the sky; an escape which ended with Helle drowning in
the sea (later called the Hellespont) and Phrixus settling in the land of Colchis.
Themisto was no less scheming than Ino; wishing to take vengeance on Ino,
who had stolen her husband from her, she conspired to kill Ino’s children; but
by mistake she killed her own. Subsequently, Athamas, stricken by Hera’s
wrath, became insane and killed Learchus, whereas Ino and Melicertes cast
themselves into the sea. The basic source is Apollod. 1.9.1-2, 3.4.3. See also
D.S. 4.47; Paus. 1.44.7-10, 9.34.7, Zenob. Cent. 4.38, Tz. ad Lye. 22; Ovid Met.
4.464-542, Hygin. Fab. 1-5; etc. Cf. Gantz (1993) 176-180, 183-184.
The myth allows for the possibility that Athamas’ marital difficulties were
important for the plot of Amphis’ present play. The slyness of both Ino and