philonome

Philonome is a name found in Greek mythology, most notably associated with two distinct figures. The first Philonome was the daughter of King Amphithemis of Crete and the wife of the Argonaut Lycaon. She is primarily known for her tragic tale involving her stepson, Tenes. It is said that Philonome, driven by lust or malice, falsely accused Tenes of attempting to rape her. As punishment, Tenes was exiled or, in some versions, thrown into the sea. However, the truth eventually came to light, and Philonome, consumed by guilt and shame, took her own life.

A second, less prominent figure named Philonome was the daughter of a king named Pelias, who was an antagonist to Jason and the Argonauts. This Philonome was the sister of Alcestis. Her story is not as widely detailed as the other Philonome, and her significance in mythology is comparatively minor. The name Philonome itself derives from Greek roots meaning "lover of law" or "lover of wisdom," though the actions of the mythological figures do not always align with these meanings. Due to the shared name, it is important to distinguish which Philonome is being referred to in different mythological accounts.