The meaning of Hippolytus' name is ironically ambiguous. Ἱππό translates to 'horse', and the element -λυτος (from λύω 'loosen, destroy') suggests the adjective λυτός, -ή, -όν 'which may be undone, destroyed'. His name thereby takes on the prophetic meaning 'destroyed by horses'.[1]
Hippolytus is a hunter and sportsman who is disgusted by sex and marriage. In consequence, he scrupulously worships Artemis, the virgin huntress, and refuses to honor Aphrodite.[2] Offended by this neglect, Aphrodite causes Phaedra, Hippolytus’ stepmother, to fall in love with him;[3] Hippolytus rejects Phaedra's advances, setting events in motion that lead to his death in a fall from his chariot.
Euripides' tragedy Hippolytus describes the death of the hero after a confrontation with his stepmother Phaedra, the second wife of Theseus. Cursed by Aphrodite, Phaedra falls so ardently in love with Hippolytus that she becomes physically ill and decides to end her suffering through suicide. Her nurse tries to save her by revealing the secret to Hippolytus and encouraging him to reciprocate. Hippolytus responds only with horror and disgust, humiliating Phaedra. In despair, and not wanting to admit the true reason for ending her life, she hangs herself and leaves a note for Theseus accusing his son, Hippolytus, of raping her.[4] Theseus, furious, uses one of the three wishes given to him by Poseidon, his father — Theseus calls on Poseidon to kill Hippolytus, who has fled the palace to go hunting. Poseidon sends a sea-monster to terrorize Hippolytus' chariot horses, which become uncontrollable and hurl their master out of the vehicle. Entangled in the reins, Hippolytus is dragged to death.[5] Artemis reconciles father and son by telling Theseus that Phaedra's accusation against Hippolytus was not true. Artemis comforts the dying Hippolytus with a promise to make him the subject of religious practice so that his memory will live forever. She assigns a band of Trozenian maidens the task of preserving the story of Phaedra and Hippolytus in a ritual song.[6]
[edit]Diana returning to Aricia Hippolytus resuscitated by Aesculapius
The version presented by Ovid in Metamorphoses,[7] and by Pausanias, relates a story about Hippolytus that differs from the version presented by Euripides.[6]
Hippolytus was resuscitated by Asclepius; once revived he refused to forgive Theseus and went to Italy and became the king of the Aricians and named a city after Artemis. He ruled as "Virbius" from inside the shrine of Diana. (The sanctuary forbade horses from entering, which is why it is believed he lived there.) This story of Hippolytus differs from Euripides' version, in that it brings Hippolytus back from the dead to live his life in Italy, while Euripides permanently connects him to his tomb.[6] Virbius was also identified with the sun god Sol/Helios (Phaedra's grandfather).[8][9]
As a result, a cult grew up around Hippolytus, associated with the cult of Diana. His cult believed that Artemis asked Asclepius to resurrect the young man since he had vowed chastity to her. Followers of Hippolytus' cult cut off a piece of their hair to dedicate their chastity to him before marriage.[10]
Media related to Hippolytus at Wikimedia Commons
