ERIPHILEM. Eriphyle was the wife of Amphiaraus, an Argive seer. Her husband did not want to follow Polynices to the siege of Thebes and hid when the seven chieftains came to fetch him. Polynices bribed Eriphyle with a golden necklace, and she showed him where Amphiaraus was hidden. Amphiaraus went reluctantly, knowing he would be killed at the siege (Thebaid IV.187-213; Roman de Thèbes, 4711-4918).

Eriphylem is one of the evil wives in the medieval antifeminist tradition. Jankyn reads her story from Jerome, Epistola adversus Jovinianum (Letter Against Jovinian) I.48 (PL 23: 280), WBP 740-746. In Jankyn's version, Eriphilem betrays her husband for an "ouche" of gold, a jeweled ornament; Jerome mentions a necklace, monile. [Amphiorax: Clitermystra: Phasipha: Polymyte]

The form of the name is derived from Latin accusative singular Eriphylam. Interesting variants recorded in Manly-Rickert are: Eriphilem, Exiphilon, Erphielen, Erphiden, Epiphelem, all showing the accusative ending preserved in one form or another. Eriphelem appears medially, WBP 723.