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Myrtilos was the son of Hermes and charioteer of King
Oinomaus of Pisa.
Hippodamia, daughter of the King has
reached marrying age and Oinomaus had warded off many suitors at the
time when Pelops arrived at his palace in Elis,
Peloponnese. Pelops had seen the enchanting Hippodamia and
fallen in love. More than a dozen suitors had already met a fateful
death against the King in a chariot race in the attempt to win her
hand in marriage. Pelops knew that the King's horses were
unbeatable and therefore bribed Myrtilos to help (who was in
love with Hippodamia himself) with the promise of a night
with Hippodamia in repayment.
Myrtilos could not refuse, did indeed help and the King was killed
leaving Pelops free to marry Hippodamia.
Pelops did not fulfill
his promise to Myrtilos and to cover his evidence he threw
him in the sea. His body was washed up and taken to an area close to
Goura where some years later a temple was erected by
Pelops in his memory reflecting his regret. |
