Hypsipyle

Hypsipyle was a queen of Lemnos in Greek mythology. She is best known for her role in the story of the Argonauts.

Family and Background: Hypsipyle was the daughter of King Thoas of Lemnos and Myrine, queen of the Amazons.

The Massacre of the Men: During her reign, the women of Lemnos, for an offense to Aphrodite (various versions cite neglecting to worship her or refusing to honor her with offerings), were afflicted with a terrible stench. Their husbands, disgusted, took Thracian concubines. In retaliation, the Lemnian women, led by Hypsipyle, murdered all the male inhabitants of the island. Hypsipyle spared her father, Thoas, by hiding him, either in a chest which she set adrift at sea or by disguising him as an old woman.

The Argonauts' Arrival: The Argonauts, led by Jason, landed on Lemnos shortly after the massacre. They found the island populated solely by women. Hypsipyle, acting as queen, welcomed them. The Argonauts stayed for some time, and the Lemnian women, under Hypsipyle's encouragement, bore children to them. Hypsipyle herself conceived twins, Euneus and Deipylus, by Jason.

Later Life and Captivity: Eventually, the Argonauts departed Lemnos. Hypsipyle was later deposed as queen when the other Lemnian women discovered that she had saved her father's life. She was sold into slavery to King Lycurgus of Nemea, where she became the nurse of his infant son, Opheltes (also known as Archemorus).

The Death of Opheltes: While fetching water for Opheltes, Hypsipyle left him unattended. A serpent, guarding a sacred spring, bit and killed the child. Lycurgus attempted to kill Hypsipyle for negligence, but she was saved by the intervention of the Argonauts, who happened to be passing through Nemea at that time, on their way to the Nemean Games.

Legacy: Hypsipyle is a figure whose story explores themes of female solidarity, betrayal, and the challenges of leadership. Her story is recounted in various ancient texts, including Apollonius Rhodius' Argonautica, Statius' Thebaid, and Hyginus' Fabulae.