Iphigenia
Daughter of Agamemnon placed at the centre of the Aulis departure and its cost to a family.
Overview
Iphigenia is daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra, and her Aulis story shows how a public war transfers its cost into a household. Pseudo-Apollodorus says the fleet is becalmed during its second gathering at Aulis and Calchas requires Agamemnon’s fairest daughter for Artemis. Agamemnon summons her under the pretence of marriage to Achilles. At the moment of sacrifice the goddess takes her to Tauris and substitutes a deer. Other ancient works disagree over whether she dies, consents or is rescued, so these versions should not be fused into one uncontested event. Here, the substitution account stays in front, with deception, paternal command and the expedition’s cost still visible.
Key facts
Summoned under a marriage pretext
Odysseus and Talthybius are sent to Clytemnestra with the claim that Iphigenia will marry Achilles.
The substituted deer version
Pseudo-Apollodorus’ versionPseudo-Apollodorus says Artemis substitutes a deer and carries Iphigenia to Tauris.
Relationships
- Agamemnonfather of
Iphigenia is a daughter of Agamemnon.
- Trojan Warbecomes a cost of departure
Iphigenia is brought to the altar, linking departure to household sacrifice.
- Odysseusfetches under a marriage pretext
Pseudo-Apollodorus says Odysseus is sent to fetch Iphigenia under a marriage pretext.
- Achillesname used in marriage ruse
The summons falsely claims that Iphigenia will marry Achilles.
Story appearances
- The Trojan WarDaughter made the cost of a public expedition
In the substitution account she is summoned to the altar and removed by Artemis, who leaves a deer.
Ancient sources
MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.