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Danaus and his 50 Daughters
Danaus was the king of Egypt, and twin-brother of Aegyptus. He was born at Chemmis (Panopolis) in Egypt, but having been driven out by his brother, he fled with his fifty daughters (the Danaides) to Argos, the home of his ancestors. Here he became king and taught the inhabitants of the country to dig wells.
In the meantime the fifty sons of Aegyptus arrived in Argos, and Danaus was obliged to consent to their marriage with his daughters. But to each of these he gave a knife and instructions to slay her husband on their marriage night. They all obeyed except Hypermnestra, who spared Lynceus. She was brought to trial by her father, acquitted and afterwards married to her lover.
Being unable to find suitors for the other daughters, Danaus offered them in marriage to the youths of the district who proved themselves victorious in racing contests. According to another story, Lynceus slew Danaus and his daughters and seized the throne of Argos.
By way of expiation for their crime the Danaides (the daughters of Danaus) were condemned to the endless task of filling with water a bath which had no bottom. This was in a vain attempt to fill the bath with water so that they could cleanse themselves of their crimes.
Zeus had many children himself. Among them, was a mortal son who was beloved by all of the Gods. They gave him fine gifts and invited him to dine with them in Olympus. But when he invited them to his home for a feast, the gods detested the main course so much, that they punish him for all eternity.
Would you like to meet him? He doesn't get many visitors. I'm sure he'd love the company.
