Astydameia

Astydameia was a figure in Greek mythology, primarily known as the daughter of Cretheus and Tyro. She was the sister of Aeson, Pheres, and Neleus. Her lineage connected her to important figures in Greek myth.

She married Pelias, the king of Iolcus and son of Poseidon and Tyro. Together, Astydameia and Pelias had several children, including Acastus, Pisidice, Antheia, Hippothoe, and Pelopia. Acastus played a significant role in the myth of the Argonauts, as he was a companion of Jason and later became king of Iolcus himself.

Astydameia's story is often intertwined with the tragic fate of the house of Pelias. She is sometimes depicted as a cruel or vengeful figure, particularly in her role concerning Jason and Medea. According to some accounts, she was responsible for sending Jason on the quest for the Golden Fleece, though this is not consistently presented across all myths.

In some versions of the myth, Astydameia encouraged her daughters to kill Pelias. This act of matricide, or rather parricide, was part of a scheme devised by Medea to deceive Pelias' daughters into believing they could rejuvenate their father. However, this detail is not universally attributed to her, and the primary instigator of this plot is usually Medea. Her character serves to highlight the complex family dynamics and the pervasive themes of fate and vengeance in Greek mythology.