Chrysothemis (Ancient Greek: Χρυσόθεμις, meaning "golden custom" or "golden law") refers to a figure in Greek mythology and an astronomical body.
In Greek Mythology Chrysothemis was a princess of Mycenae, the second eldest daughter of King Agamemnon and Queen Clytemnestra. Her siblings included Orestes, Iphigenia, and Electra. In the mythological narratives, particularly as depicted in Sophocles' tragedy Electra, Chrysothemis is often portrayed as a more pragmatic and less defiant character than her sister Electra. After Agamemnon's murder by Clytemnestra and Aegisthus, Chrysothemis chose a path of submission and caution, urging Electra to accept their lot and avoid antagonizing their mother and Aegisthus further. She did not actively participate in the plot for revenge against her mother and Aegisthus, distinguishing her from the vengeful Electra and Orestes. Her role primarily serves as a foil to Electra, highlighting the different responses to injustice and tyranny within the royal family. Unlike her siblings, Chrysothemis does not play a significant role in the fulfillment of the curse on the House of Atreus, and her ultimate fate is not extensively detailed in surviving ancient texts.
In Astronomy Chrysothemis also refers to a minor planet:
- 627 Chrysothemis: An asteroid located in the main asteroid belt, discovered on March 20, 1907, by American astronomer Joel Hastings Metcalf at Taunton, Massachusetts. It is classified as an M-type asteroid, indicating a composition likely rich in metals.