HIPPOLYTE,
Queen of the Ama∣zons and Theseus's Wife, of whom he begot Hippolytus, thus called after his Mother's name: Theseus afterwards married Phaedra, Minos's Daughter, who fell in love with Hip∣polytus her Son-in-law; but having refused to consent to her amorous desires, the accu∣sed him to Theseus of having attempted her Chastity. Theseus gave credit to her scanda∣lous report, and banish'd Hippolytus out of his presence, and desired Neptune to revenge his Crime. Whereupon Hippolytus, to avoid his Fathers wrath, fled away riding in a Chariot; but meeting a Sea-Monster on the shore, his Horses were so frighted by it, that they threw him down to the ground, and drew him among the Rocks, where he miserably perished.
Phaedra, sensibly mov'd with his loss, and pressed by the remoise of her Conscience, discover'd the whole truth to her Husband, and kill'd herself out of despair; but after∣wards Aesculaptus touch'd with compassion, re∣stor'd Hippolytus to life, and called him Vir∣bins, as being a Man a second time.
Diodorus Siculus reports what is commonly said of Hippolytus, as one part of the true Hi∣story of Theseus. Pausanias adds the tradition of some Inhabitants of Italy, and especially of Aricia, who say, that Hippolytus was resto∣red to life again, or recovered his health by the care of Aesculaplus; and not enduring to think of a reconciliation with his Father, came into Italy, where he founded a little Government at Aricia, and there dedicated a Temple to Diana. Pausanias tells us also, that the custom in his time was, that the Priest appointed for the service of that Tem∣ple, was always a Man, who in a Duel or single Combat had kill'd the Priest, to whom he succeeded; but that none but fugitive Slaves undertook the Combat. The same Author assures a little after, that Diomedes was the first Man who dedicated a Grove, a Temple and a Statue to Hippolytus, and sa∣crificed to him; and that the Inhabitants of Troezen affirmed, that Hippolytus was not drawn with Horses, but the Gods had honour'd him with a place among the Stars, and turn∣ed him into a Constellation, called by the name of a Carter. Ovid calls him Vi••bius af∣ter his Apotheosis.
Euripides has written a Tragedy of Hippoly∣tus, wherein he relates his History.
Theseus an Athenian Prince, who begot Hippolytus of one the Amazons, and after her death married Phaedra, Daughter to Mi∣nos King of Crete, absented himself from Athens. Venus resolv'd the ruine of Hippoly∣tus, because he was very chast, and incited Phaedra to love him. Whereupon Phaedra discover'd her love to her Nurse, who was also her Confidant. The Nurse made ma∣ny attempts upon Hippolytus, to perswade him to yield to Phaedra's love, yet he con∣tinued inflexible. Wherefore out of shame and despair Phaedra hang'd herself, having first tied some Letters to her Cloaths, wherein she charg'd Hippolytus with the Crime, she was herself only guilty of; Theseus, too credulous, banish'd Hippolytus, and besought Neptune to destroy him, in performance of one of the three promises, this God had pass'd his word to grant him. Neptune heard his request, and was the ruin of Hippolytus. But Diana appear'd to Theseus, and discover'd to him the innocence of Hippolytus, ordaining withal, that he should be honoured like a God.