Menestratus (Thespiae)
Thespian who died slaying a dragon to save his lover.
Menestratus is a figure from Greek mythology associated with Thespiae. He is known for sacrificing himself to a dragon in an attempt to save his male lover, Cleostratus, from being the monster's annual victim.
Quick Facts
- Mythological figure
- Menestratus
- Associated location
- Thespiae
- Lover
- Cleostratus
- Deity involved
- Zeus
- Cult statue
- Zeus the Saviour
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- The story bears similarities to the myth of Alcyoneus and Eurybarus.
- Unlike Eurybarus, Menestratus does not survive the ordeal.
- The lovers being of the same sex is a rare variant among dragon-slaying fairytale tropes.
Mythology
Menestratus lived in Thespiae and became lovers with Cleostratus. A great dragon ravaged the city, and the citizens, following Zeus's command, sacrificed a teenage boy each year to the monster. When the lot fell to Cleostratus, Menestratus devised a trick. He made a bronze breastplate with fish-hooks on each plate, points turned upward. Clad in it, he willingly offered himself to the dragon, which devoured him. The dragon died as Menestratus had predicted. The Thespians later erected a bronze cult statue to honor Zeus the Saviour.
More in Human Sacrifice in Folklore and Mythology
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