Page:Lovers Legends - The Gay Greek Myths.pdf/36

LOVERS’ LEGENDS no fear of losing. His black mares were by far the best in all of Greece and his charioteer, dear to his heart, was without peer. Myrtilus was his name, a son of Hermes, the trickster god. Myrtilus loved Hippodamia himself but was terrified to race, so he served the king instead.

Thus Oinomaus stood in the way of his daughter's marriage. He had his reasons: For one thing, a seer had warned he would meet his death at the hand of his son-in-law. For another, he had fallen in love with his own daughter, and wanted her for himself. Hippodamia's love for her father turned to loathing. Zeus saw it all, was sickened by the king's savage ways, and turned his face away from Oinomaus. 22