Alcmaeon

alk-me on, in Grecian legend, the son of Amphiaraus and Eriphyle. Eriphyle urged Amphiaraus to undertake the expedition of the seven against Thebes. Amphiaraus took offense and commanded his son Alcmaeon to slay the mother. As an oracle, whom the son Alcmaeon consulted, also advised Eriphyle's death, Alcmaeon slew her. As a punishment he was driven mad by the Furies, and wandered away from Argos seeking purification from his crime. In Arcadia Phegeus, the king of Psophis, relieved him from the Furies and gave him his daughter in marriage. To her Alcmaeon gave the necklace and peplus of Harmonia, which his mother Eriphyle had received from Polynices. In consequence of his presence the land of Psophis became barren. Alcmaeon fled to the mouth of the river Achelous for further purification. Here he married Callirrhoe, daughter of the river god. To gratify here vanity, although against his better judgment, he returned to Arcadia to procure for her the fatal necklace and robe of Harmonia. He told Phegeus he wished to dedicate them on the altar of the oracle at Delphi. Phegeus gave Alcmaeon the ornaments, but learning for whom they were really intended, he sent his sons to waylay and kill Alcmaeon while returning to his wife. Alcmaeon was a favorite subject of Greek tragedies, but none are now extant. See Harmonia; Seven Against Thebes; Callirrhoe