Agamemnon

[ ag-uh-mem-non, -nuhn ]

noun

1. Classical Mythology. a king of Mycenae, a son of Atreus and brother of Menelaus. He led the Greeks in the Trojan War and was murdered by Clytemnestra, his wife, upon his return from Troy.
2. (italics) a tragedy (458 b.c.) by Aeschylus.

Agamemnon

/ ˌæɡəˈmɛmnɒn /

noun

1. Greek myth a king of Mycenae who led the Greeks at the siege of Troy. On his return home he was murdered by his wife Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus See also Menelaus

Agamemnon

1. In classical mythology , the king who led the Greeks against Troy in the Trojan War (see also Trojan War ). To obtain favorable winds for the Greek fleet sailing to Troy, Agamemnon sacrificed his daughter Iphigenia to the goddess Artemis and so came under a curse. After he returned home victorious, he was murdered by his wife, Clytemnestra, and her lover, Aegisthus.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Agamemnon¹

< Greek Agamémnon- (stem of Agamémnōn ), < *Agaménmon-, equivalent to aga- great + men- (truncation of Menelaus, meaning king) + -mon- suffix used in shortened names

Example Sentences

What is interesting about these mythical epidemics, in relation to our present is what they reveal about the characters of the political leaders, Agamemnon and Oedipus.

From Time

Agamemnon eventually agrees to return the woman, but he’ll grab Achilles’ enslaved captive, Briseis, in compensation, enraging Achilles and prompting his prolonged sulk in his tent.

From Time

We amplified the scene with Agamemnon to let people understand that Achilles is not acting out of pettiness.

From The Daily Beast

When Paris kills Agamemnon in one of the film's final scenes, it's enough to make you spit out your soda.

From The Daily Beast

About nine o'clock one black ball was run up to the fore of the Agamemnon and a gun was fired to enforce attention to the signal.

From Project Gutenberg

Nelson being with the troops, the "Agamemnon" with some frigates was anchored north of the city, Hood with his ships south of it.

From Project Gutenberg

My heart is almost broke to find the Agamemnon lying here, little better than a wreck.

From Project Gutenberg

The "Princess Royal" and "Agamemnon," which came next, could only engage at long range.

From Project Gutenberg

Immediately behind the "Agamemnon" came the "Britannia," carrying Hotham's flag.

From Project Gutenberg