In Greek mythology, Stheneboea (Ancient Greek: Σθενέβοια Sthenéboia; the "strong cow" or "strong through cattle") was the daughter of Iobates, king in Lycia. She was the consort of Proetus, joint-king in the Argolid with Acrisius, having his seat at Tiryns. According to early sources, Stheneboea was the daughter of Aphidas and brother of Aleus. Homer and other early writers gave the name of the consort of Proetus as Antea, Antaea, or Anteia (Ἀνταία, Ἀντεία).
Etymology[]
Stheneboea comes from the two Greek words σθενέ- which means "strength", and βοια which means "cow" or "cattle". Stheneboea is one of a number of female figures named for their role as "cattle queens"; they include Phereboia ("bringing in cattle"), and Polyboia ("worth much cattle"). In archaic Greece cattle were a source of wealth and a demonstration of social pre-eminence; they also signified the numinous presence of Hera.
Mythology[]
Stheneboea took a fancy to Bellerophon but was repulsed by her. She testified falsely against Bellerophon, accusing him of advances and even attempted rape on her husband, who sent him on a deadly mission to Iobates. Bellerophon later returned to Tiryns and punished Stheneboea. Some say that Bellerophon took her for a ride on Pegasus and threw her to the ground, but others maintain that this was unworthy of a hero, so Bellerophon would not have done such a deed. Others assert that Bellerophon married Stheneboea's sister, and consequently, it was inevitable that the allegations would be exposed as false, so this resulted in Stheneboea's suicide since she feared exposure and public denunciation.
Divine judgement was added to this tragic end, since Stheneboea's three daughters were overcome with madness, inflicted by either Hera or Dionysus, and took to ranging over the mountains as maenads, assaulting travelers.
Proetus giving the letter to Bellerophon with Pegasus Stheneboea seated, and a slave holding a fan on the right side.
Family[]
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