Myrtĭlus

, son of Mercury and Phaetusa, or Cleobule, or Clymene, was arm-bearer to Œnoma us king of Pisa. He was so experienced in riding and in the management of horses, that he rendered those of Œnoma us the swiftest in all Greece. His infidelity proved at last fatal to him. Œnoma us had been informed by an oracle that his daughter Hippo dam i a’s husband would cause his death, and on that account he resolved to marry her only to him who should overcome him in a chariot race. This seemed totally impo ible, and to render it more terrible, Œnoma us declared that death would be the consequence of a defeat in the suitors. The charms of Hippo dam i a were so great, that many sacrificed their life in the fruitle endeavour to obtain her hand. Pelops at last presented himself, undaunted at the fate of those who had gone before him, but before he entered the course he bribed Myrtilus, and a ured him that he should share Hippo dam i a’s favours if he returned victorious from the race. Myrtilus, who was enamoured of Hippo dam i a, gave an old chariot to Œnoma us, which broke in the course and caused his death. Pelops gained the victory, and married Hippo dam i a; and when Myrtilus had the audacity to claim the reward promised to his perfidy, Pelops threw him headlong into the sea, where he perished. The body of Myrtilus, according to some, was carried by the waves to the sea-shore, where he received an honourable burial, and as he was the son of Mercury, he was made a constellation. Diodorus , bk. 4 .— Hyginus , fable 84 & 224.— Pausanias , bk. 8 , ch. 14 .— A poll on i us , bk. 1 .