AGLAULUS

[Greek] In Greek mythology, the daughter of Cecrops, sister of Herse and Pandrosus. When the city of Athens was once under siege for a very long time, Aglaulus voluntarily hurled herself from the Acropolis, because an oracle had spoken that through such a sacrifice the city would be saved. In her temple young Athenian men who were called for service made the oath to guard their fatherland. According to other sources, the goddess Athena had entrusted the three sisters a small box that was not to be opened under any circumstance; the young hero Erichthonius had been laid inside the box. When Aglaulus and Herse opened the box and looked upon the face of the child, they were stricken with madness, and hurled themselves from the Acropolis.