ATREUS, Etr7Ris (Gk. 'Arpeeis). In Greek legend, son of Pelops and Hippodamia, grand son of Tantalus, and brother of Thyestes. In the Iliad there is no trace of the terrible feud between the brothers. This legend develops later, perhaps under the influence of Dorian hostility to the Acluean rulers of the Pelopon uesus, and is told in many forms. The main features are as follows: Atreus married Cleola, by whom he was the father of Pleisthenes; his next wife was Aerope, by whom he had Aga memnon and Menelaus; his last wife was Pelo pia, daughter of his brother Thyestes. The main story of Atreus begins in blood, he and Thyestes being induced by their mother to kill their step-brother Chrysippus. the son of Pelops and the nymph Axioche. After the murder, the perpetrators fled to Mycenx, where the king, Eurystheus, was their nephew. He lost his life in war with the Heraclithe, and Atreus suc ceeded him as King of .Myeeine. Thyestes se duced Atreus's wife Aerope, and stole the golden lamb which was the gift of Hermes. Atreus expelled Thyestes, who sent Atreus's own son Pleisthenes to kill him; but the father slew the son without recognizing him. Then Atreus pre pared a great revenge. Professing to be recon ciled to Thyestes, he invited him to Mycenn, killed the sons of Thyestes, and served them as a banquet for their father. In the midst of
the meal, Atreus showed the heads and hands to Thyestes, who, struck with horror, cursed the house of Atreus and fled, while the sun turned its face from the scene. Thyestes, once more driven out by Atreus, came to Sicyon, where he found his daughter Pelopia, whom he violated without recognizing her. She was then married to Atreus, who was also ignorant of her parent age. Her child by Thyestes was exposed, but rescued and brought up by Atreus, who named him .:Egisthus. Later Atreus sent Agamemnon and Menelaus in search of Thyestes, whom they brought back to Myecnre; whereupon Atreus im prisoned him and sent Agisthus to kill him. .Egisthus having been recognized by his real father, Pelopia recognized the dreadful truth and killed herself, while .tEgisthus slew Atreus, who was offering sacrifice on the seashore. In later times the great domed tombs at Mycenre were pointed out as the treasuries of Atreus and his sons; and the largest is still popularly called the 'Treasury of Atreus.'