In Greek mythology, Sthenelus (Ancient Greek: Σθένελος, Sthenelos) was a king of Tiryns and Mycenae and a son of Perseus, the hero who founded Mycenae. By his wife Nicippe he became the father of Eurystheus, the king who would later impose the Labours upon Heracles. He exiled his nephew Amphitryon from Mycenae and was eventually succeeded on the throne by his son Eurystheus.
Adapted from Wikipedia, "Sthenelus (son of Perseus)" · CC BY-SA 4.0
I.Name
The name Sthenelus (Ancient Greek: Σθένελος, Sthenelos) is derived from sthenos, the Greek word for "strength, might, force." It is accordingly understood to mean "strong one" or "forcer."
The name is borne by several distinct figures in Greek mythology; this Sthenelus is the Perseid king of Tiryns and Mycenae, the son of Perseus, and is to be distinguished from the better-known Sthenelus son of Capaneus, the Epigonos and charioteer of the Trojan War.
II.Family
According to the mythographer Apollodorus, Sthenelus was the son of the Greek hero Perseus and the Ethiopian princess Andromeda. His siblings were Perses, Alcaeus, Heleus, Mestor, Electryon, and Gorgophone.
By Nicippe, the sister of Atreus and Thyestes, Sthenelus became the father of Eurystheus, Alcyone, and Medusa (also called Astymedusa).
III.Mythology
Sthenelus exiled his nephew Amphitryon, the son of his brother Alcaeus, from Mycenae after Amphitryon had killed Electryon, another of Sthenelus' brothers. Amphitryon was also the husband of his niece Alcmene, who accompanied him into exile.
As heir, Sthenelus succeeded to the throne of Mycenae, and was in turn succeeded by his son Eurystheus, whom he had fathered with his wife Nicippe.
According to the Roman mythographer Hyginus, Sthenelus was killed by Hyllus, the son of Heracles and Deianira.