Definition & Meaning of "orestes"

Who is "Orestes"?

Orestes is a character from Greek mythology known for his role in avenging his father, Agamemnon's murder. According to the myth, after Agamemnon was killed by his wife, Clytemnestra, and her lover, Aegisthus, Orestes was driven by a sense of duty and revenge to kill them both. This act of vengeance was part of a complex cycle of retribution and justice within his family, and it also led to Orestes being pursued by the Furies, deities of vengeance, for killing his mother. His story explores themes of justice, duty, and the consequences of familial violence.