Fifty Sisters, Fifty Cousins, and a Wedding Night Massacre: The Story of the Danaids
Right then, gather ’round, you myth-loving lot! Today we’re diving deep into a story that’s a bit… well, a bit grim, even by mythology standards. We’re talking about the Danaids (pronounced DAN-uh-ids). Now, if you’re scratching your head wondering who they are, fear not! Your friendly neighbourhood Pagan Club is here to sort you right out.
Get comfy, grab a cuppa, and let’s unpack this saga of sibling rivalry, forced marriages, and a whole lot of… well, let’s just say there’s a fair bit of stabby-stabby business involved.
The Danaids: A Family Affair (Gone Very Wrong)
Think of the Danaids as the ultimate example of a messy family feud, the kind you wouldn’t even wish on your worst nemesis. We’re starting in ancient Greece, naturally, where things were rarely straightforward, and family dinners often involved gods interfering and mortals getting themselves in a right old pickle.
Our story centres around two blokes: Danaus and Aegyptus. Fancy names, eh? Well, these weren’t just any blokes; they were twin brothers. Now, you might think twins are all best buds, finishing each other’s sentences and sharing clothes. Not these two. Oh no, they were about as chummy as a badger and a weasel in the same burrow.
Danaus ruled over Libya (in North Africa, not too far from modern-day Libya), and Aegyptus, as you might guess, ruled Egypt. Things were ticking along nicely for a while, with them both minding their own business and presumably sending each other the occasional awkward birthday card.
But then, things took a turn for the dramatically Greek. You see, Aegyptus wasn’t content with just ruling Egypt. He had a whopping fifty sons. Yes, FIFTY. Blimey, imagine the Christmas presents! Danaus, on the other hand, had – you guessed it – fifty daughters. The Danaids.
Now, Aegyptus, in a move that screams “This will end well! (Spoiler alert: it won’t),” decided it would be a brilliant idea to marry his fifty sons to Danaus’s fifty daughters. Sounds a bit… cosy, doesn’t it? To modern ears, it’s giving off strong vibes of forced family amalgamation, and frankly, it probably wasn’t much more palatable back in the day.
Danaus’s Dodgy Advice (and a Lot of Daggers)
Danaus, bless him, was not keen on this plan. Perhaps he sensed that Aegyptus was a bit too keen on expanding his influence, or maybe he just didn’t fancy having all those sons-in-law hanging around. Whatever the reason, Danaus decided, “Nope, not having it.”
Instead of, you know, having a reasonable chat with his brother about maybe just not forcing fifty marriages, Danaus took a slightly more… dramatic approach. He consulted an oracle. Because that’s always a good idea, right? Oracles are famously clear and helpful… (cough).
The oracle’s prophecy was suitably cryptic and ominous, basically hinting that Danaus would be murdered by his sons-in-law. Charming. This, understandably, sent Danaus into a right flap. He decided the best course of action was to flee Libya with his fifty daughters and head to Argos in Greece.
The Argives, being the hospitable sorts (or perhaps just easily impressed by a bloke with fifty daughters – imagine the entourage!), welcomed Danaus and his girls with open arms. Danaus even became king of Argos, which was a nice little bonus. For a while, things were looking up. Sun, sea, sand… well, maybe not sand in Argos, but you get the picture.
Escape to Argos and the Approaching Threat
That being said, you can run, but you can’t hide from Greek tragedy. Aegyptus and his fifty sons weren’t just going to shrug and say, “Oh well, never mind then.” They hopped on their boats and sailed after Danaus, eventually rocking up in Argos and, in true Greek style, demanding to marry the Danaids.
Danaus, playing a blinder of a poker face, pretended to agree. “Oh yes, good idea, lads! Marriages for everyone! Lovely jubbly!” He even put on a big wedding feast and everything. But Danaus wasn’t just serving up canapés and bubbly. Oh! No. He had a slightly… alternative wedding gift in mind.
He handed each of his fifty daughters a dagger. A nice, sharp, hidden dagger. And he gave them instructions. On their wedding night, as soon as their new husbands were… well, you can guess… they were to STAB THEM. Dead. Right then and there. Happy nuptials, eh?
The Night of the Long… Knives, Actually
And wouldn’t you know it, the Danaids, being dutiful daughters (and probably a bit terrified of their dad), actually went through with it. On their wedding night, forty-nine of the Danaids followed their father’s instructions and, let’s just say, made sure their husbands wouldn’t be snoring in the morning.
Imagine the scene. Fifty bedrooms, fifty newlyweds, and suddenly, forty-nine very surprised and very deceased Egyptian princes. Grim, isn’t it? You can practically hear the collective gasp of horror rippling through ancient Argos. It’s certainly not the kind of wedding night you’d write home about (if you were still alive to write home, that is).
Hypermnestra: The One Who Said “Nah, Mate”
Now, amidst all this carnage, there’s always got to be someone who breaks the mould, doesn’t there? And in this story, it’s Hypermnestra. She was one of the Danaids, and she was betrothed to Lynceus, one of Aegyptus’s sons.
But Hypermnestra, bless her rebellious heart, didn’t fancy the whole stabby-stabby plan. Why? Well, the myths differ slightly, but some say she and Lynceus actually fell in love. Imagine that! Love in a Greek myth! Almost unheard of amidst all the scheming and murdering!
Or perhaps she just thought the whole thing was a bit bonkers. Either way, Hypermnestra couldn’t bring herself to kill Lynceus. Instead, she helped him escape. She let him know what was going on, and he legged it, presumably faster than a startled cheetah.
Danaus, who was probably expecting a 50-for-50 success rate, was not best pleased when he found out Hypermnestra had let Lynceus get away. He was, shall we say, a tad miffed. He threw Hypermnestra into prison for her disobedience. Talk about a father-daughter relationship going sour!
The Afterlife and the Eternal Task: Sieves, Not Spoons!
So, what happened to the Danaids who did commit the murders? Well, in Greek mythology, you don’t just get away with mass murder, even if your dad told you to do it. After they died (presumably of old age, eventually, after all the drama), they were punished in the underworld.
And what was their punishment? This is where it gets a bit… well, utterly futile, which is often the Greek gods’ favourite kind of punishment. The Danaids were condemned to eternally fill a leaky jar (or sometimes, in other versions, a sieve) with water.
Yes, you read that right. Their eternal torment is basically the mythological equivalent of trying to fill a colander with water. Imagine the frustration! Imagine doing that FOREVER. It’s the ultimate, never-ending, pointless task. It’s probably designed to make you think about the futility of their actions, the wastefulness of murder, and the endless, pointless nature of their crime.
Why the Danaids Matter to Us Pagan-y Folk?
So, why are the Danaids interesting for us here at The Pagan Club? Well, they offer a few rather fascinating insights into ancient Greek beliefs and the way they understood the world.
- Family and Duty: The myth highlights the intense pressure of family loyalty and duty in ancient Greek society. The Danaids were expected to obey their father, no questions asked, even to the point of committing horrific acts. It shows the power of patriarchal structures and the expectations placed upon women, even if those expectations are utterly bonkers. This resonates with modern pagan considerations of familial bonds and the balance between tradition and individual choice.
- Punishment and the Underworld: The Danaids’ punishment illustrates the Greek concept of the afterlife and divine retribution. It’s not just about being sent to the underworld; it’s about suffering a punishment that fits the crime, even if it seems a bit… over the top and symbolic to us. It’s a reminder that actions have consequences, even beyond death.
- Defiance and Individuality: Hypermnestra’s story is a glimmer of hope in all this grimness. She shows that even in the face of immense pressure, there’s always the possibility of individual choice and defiance. She went against her father’s will, and arguably, acted more morally than her sisters. Not only that, but she represents a questioning of blind obedience and a move towards personal conscience.
- Etiological Myth? Some scholars even suggest the myth might be an etiological myth, explaining the practice of Danaids in Argos fetching water for religious rituals. Perhaps the myth evolved to make sense of a pre-existing religious practice. It’s always fun to speculate!
In Conclusion: A Right Old Mythical Mess!
The story of the Danaids is a dark and dramatic tale, full of betrayal, violence, and a whole heap of family dysfunction. It’s not exactly a feel-good bedtime story, but it’s a fascinating window into the complexities of Greek mythology and the values and anxieties of the ancient world.
Next time you’re struggling with a bit of household chore, just be thankful you’re not eternally trying to fill a sieve with water. And maybe spare a thought for the Danaids, forever trapped in their watery, futile punishment, a stark reminder of the consequences of… well, a whole lot of bad decisions and dodgy family dynamics! Cheers for now, myth fans! Until the next delve into the weird and wonderful world of paganism and mythology!
