Pylades- Greek FigureMortal"Prince of Phocis"

Childhood in Phocis

Pylades was the son of King Strophius of Phocis and Anaxibia, sister of Agamemnon, making him cousin to Orestes. When the young prince of Mycenae was smuggled out of his homeland following Agamemnon's murder by Clytemnestra and Aegisthus, it was to Strophius's court that he was sent for safety. Pylades and Orestes were raised together, and their bond — forged in exile — would prove unbreakable.

The Avengers

When Orestes came of age and received Apollo's command to avenge his father, Pylades refused to let his friend face the terrible task alone. He accompanied Orestes to Mycenae. Pylades spoke only once during the vengeance, but his words proved decisive: when Orestes hesitated before killing Clytemnestra, his mother baring her breast and pleading for mercy, Pylades reminded him of Apollo's oracle and the sacred duty he must fulfill. This single intervention steeled Orestes to complete the matricide.

After the murders of Clytemnestra and Aegisthus, Pylades remained with Orestes during his madness and pursuit by the Erinyes. When all others fled from the matricide, Pylades stayed faithful. He accompanied Orestes to Delphi seeking purification and then to Athens for the trial before the Areopagus.

The Journey to Tauris

Apollo commanded Orestes to retrieve the sacred image of Artemis from Tauris as part of his final purification. Pylades sailed with him without hesitation, though the Taurians were known to sacrifice all Greeks who landed on their shores. When both were captured and brought before the priestess Iphigenia for sacrifice, each tried to die in the other's place — a mutual willingness that moved even the priestess, though she did not yet know one captive was her brother.

After their escape from Tauris with Iphigenia and the sacred image, Pylades married Electra, Orestes's sister, binding the two friends as brothers by marriage as well as choice.