Chapter 13 Chapter Thirteen Pelops

Tantalus blasphemed the gods, while his son Pelops, contrary to his father, was very devout to the gods.After his father was condemned to hell, he was driven out of the country by the neighboring Trojan king Iros and went into exile in Greece.Before the beard grew on the young man's chin, he had already chosen a wife in his heart.His wife's name was Hippodamia, the daughter of Oenomanos, king of Elis, and Strope.This woman was not easy to marry, because an oracle had predicted to the father that when the daughter married, the father would die.The father believed it, so he did everything possible to prevent anyone from proposing to his daughter.He had notices posted everywhere, saying that anyone who wanted to marry his daughter had to race with him, and only the one who beat him could marry his daughter.If the king wins, then his opponent has to be killed.

The starting point of the race is Pisa and the finish line is the Altar of Poseidon in the Strait of Corinth.The king stipulated the order in which the chariots should start: he first sacrificed a ram to Zeus, and asked the suitor to go first in a four-horse chariot. After the sacrifice ceremony was over, he began to chase.The name of his charioteer was Myrtiros; and the king stood in the chariot, holding a spear in his hand.If he catches up with the competitor, he has the right to throw the opponent to the ground with his spear. The suitor, who admired Hippodamia's youthful beauty, heard of this harsh condition, but he didn't take it seriously. He thought that King Oenomanos was old and weak, and knowing that he was no match for the young man, he deliberately let the young man go first. In this way, even if you lose, you can find a decent excuse for yourself.The young people rushed to Elis and asked the king to marry his daughter.The king received them kindly one by one, and provided them with a beautiful carriage.Four horses are pulling in front, majestic and majestic.He himself went to sacrifice the ram to Zeus, and he was not in any hurry or nervous.After the sacrificial ceremony was over, he boarded a light cart, which was pulled in front by two steeds, Fira and Harbina. They ran so fast that they outstripped the strong north wind.He soon overtook the suitor in front of him, and brutally pierced his chest with his spear.In this way, twelve suitors died unjustly under his spear.

Pelops came to this coastal peninsula to propose marriage, and the island was later called Pelopnassos.It was not long before he heard news of the tragic death of the suitor at Elys.So he took advantage of the night to come to the seashore, and loudly called Poseidon, the powerful patron saint. Poseidon came to him on the waves. "Great God," prayed Pelops, "if you yourself like the gift of the goddess of love, then give it to me, so that I will not be hurt by Oenomanos' spear, please give Give me the chariot, let me reach Elis as fast as possible, and pray that you will bless me to win."

Pelops' prayer took effect immediately, and there was another rushing sound in the water, and a gleaming golden chariot was pushed out of the waves, with four winged flying horses pulling in front, at a speed like flying arrows.Pelops jumped into the car and drove towards Elis like a gust of wind.Oenomanus was startled when he saw Pelops coming, because he recognized Poseidon's chariot at a glance.But he did not refuse to compete with the young man according to the original conditions.In addition, he is confident in the divine power of his steed.Pelops was tired from the long drive.He rested with the steed for a few days, and when he regained his energy, he rode the horse to participate in the competition.When the finish line was approaching, the king, who sacrificed a ram to Zeus first according to the custom, caught up, brandishing a spear, and was about to stab the back of the suitor in front.But Poseidon, the protector of Pelops, rushed to rescue him.He loosened the king's wheel, and the chariot fell to pieces.Oenomanos flew out of the chariot, fell to the ground and died instantly.At this time, Pelops successfully reached the finish line with four flying horses.He looked back and saw that the king's palace was on fire. It turned out that the lightning had struck the palace, and it burned until only one pillar was exposed.Pelops drove his speeding chariot to the burning palace and bravely rescued his fiancée Hippodamia.

Later, he ruled the whole country of Elis, captured the city of Olympia, and founded the world-famous Olympic Games.He and his wife Hippodamia had many sons.After the sons grew up, they were distributed throughout Pelopnassus, and each established his own kingdom.