Brewer's: Agamemnon

King of Argos, in Greece, and commander-in-chief of the allied Greeks who went to the siege of Troy. The fleet being delayed by adverse winds at Aulis, Agamemnon sacrificed his daughter Iphigenia to Diana, and the winds became at once favourable. —Homer's Iliad.

Till Agamemnon's daughter's blood. Appeased the gods that them withstood.

—Earl of Surrey.

His brother was Menelaos.

His Daughters were Iphigenia, Electra, Iphianassa, and Chrysothemis (Sophocles).

He was Grandson of Pelops.

He was killed in a bath by his wife Clytemnestra, after his return from Troy.

His son was Orestes, who slew his mother for murdering his father, and was called Agamemnònides.

His wife was Clytemnestra, who lived in adultery with Egistheus. At Troy he fell in love with Cassandra, a daughter of King Priam.

Vixere fortes ante Agamemnona

(“there are hills beyond Pentland, and fields beyond Forth”) i.e., we are not to suppose that our own age or locality monopolises all that is good. —Hor. Od. iv. 9, 25. We might add, et post Agamemnona vivent.

Great men there lived ere Agamemnon came, And after him will others rise to fame.

—E.C.B.

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