Story of Orestes

The story of Orestes provides the best example of the legal process that follows a homicide. It was a widespread and familiar story that was told in drama, poetry, histories, and was a common theme depicted on preserved vase paintings.

The events begin with the outbreak of the Trojan War, when his father Agamemnon, the king of Argos, sacrificed his sister Iphigenia to appease Artemis. It was deemed necessary so that the Greek fleet could set off for Troy. (Although Iphigenia does not appear in the Homeric version, it is an important element of Aeschylus' version.) When Agamemnon returned home after 10 years of war, he was killed by his wife, Clytaemnestra, when he disarmed to bathe. She had taken a lover, Aegisthus, in his absence, but argued her actions were justified to avenge the death of her daughter.

Orestes was not in the city when this occurred, but he eventually returned in disguise and killed his mother and her lover. (The death of Aegisthus is depicted on the vase, Malibu 88.AE.66 to the left). Although Orestes' actions were encouraged by Apollo and even sanctioned as justified retribution, the Furies began to pursue him, since the punishment of a murderer fell to them when the victim's family failed to act. Orestes was driven from Argos and fled to Apollo's sanctuary at Delphi. Here he underwent purification, but the Furies continued to hound him. Orestes ended up at Athens, where one of the first ever homicide jury trials took place. It resulted in the absolution of Orestes with a tie breaking vote cast by the presiding judge, Athena. The Furies stopped hounding him, and his deed was considered just.