The Story of Iphigeneia
Artist Shelly Salter

In Greek Mythology, daughters are often sacrificed or choose to sacrifice themselves.

Such was the case with Iphigeneia. The Greek fleet was unable to leave Aulis to fight the battle of Troy because there was no wind. Artimis, the Goddess of the Forest and Wild Animals, had become angered with Iphigeneia’s father, King Agamemnon, for killing one of her favorite stags. In order to get a fair wind, she demanded the head of his beautiful, virgin daughter Iphigeneia.

Under pressure from his army, King Agamemnon tells his daughter to come to the army camp in Aulis, on the pretense that he had arranged a marriage between her and the hero Achilles.

Upon her arrival, she finds out about the ruse and the real reason for her visit. To appease the soldiers, she then agrees to sacrifice herself for the good of the Army.

Iphigeneia represents the young girl coming of age, losing her innocent childhood fantasies and dealing with the realities of womanhood. Here she looks out to the sea for answers.

In some happier versions of this story, Iphigeneia is replaced by a deer at the last minute and whisked away by Artemis to live out her life in the land of the Taurians.

When Iphigeneia’s mother, Clytaemnestra, finds out about her husbands actions, she never forgives him and later has her lover murder him, but THAT is another story!