person
Atreus
also: Atreo, Atreus
The cruel king of Mycenae who served his brother Thyestes the flesh of his own children, the title role of a tragedy by Accius. Cicero cites his savage lines (oderint dum metuant) as fitting the role though improper in a just character.
Reading notes
- Tusculan Disputations §4.77 they are the sons of Atreus
The quarrelling brothers are Atreus and Thyestes, sons of Pelops; the verses are from a Roman tragedy on the house of Atreus. Atreus plots the monstrous revenge of serving Thyestes his own children.