Date: 19 March 2024
Time: 15:18:55 CET
Topic: 5. The Seven against Thebes
Tags: Greek mythology, Seven against Thebes, Oedipus, Cadmus, Laius, Jocasta, Sphinx, Delphi, tragedy, Adrastus, Theseus, Argos, Theban Cycle, Epigoni, Greek heroes, mythological tales
A Cursed Dynasty: The Story of the Seven Against Thebes
The saga of the Seven Against Thebes ranks as one of the most captivating and tragic narratives in Greek mythology, surpassed only by the Trojan War. Here's a breakdown of the key events:
The Oracle's Curse and a Feared Prophecy
- Laius, the King: The story begins with Laius, the Theban king, three generations removed from the city's founder, Cadmus. An oracle warns Laius that a son born to him will be his murderer.
- A Desperate Attempt to Defy Fate: Determined to cheat destiny, Laius orders his newborn son to be exposed on Mount Cithaeron, a harsh mountain environment, after abandoning him there to die.
A Twist of Fate: A Rescued Child
- Saved from the Mountain: A merciful shepherd finds the abandoned baby and raises him as his own. The child is named Oedipus, unaware of his true lineage.
Seeking Answers and Unknowingly Sealing His Fate
- A Visit to the Oracle: As a young man, Oedipus seeks the oracle at Delphi, hoping to learn about his birth parents. Instead, he receives a chilling warning: to avoid returning to his homeland, as doing so would lead to patricide and an incestuous marriage.
- A Tragic Encounter: Unknowingly on the path to Thebes, Oedipus meets Laius on the road. A conflict ensues, and Oedipus kills Laius, fulfilling the first part of the prophecy without knowing the victim's true identity.
Unwitting Crimes and a Terrible Revelation
- Riddling Sphinx and Rise to Power: Thebes is plagued by the Sphinx, a monstrous creature who devours those who fail to solve her riddle. Oedipus successfully answers the riddle, becoming king and unknowingly marrying Jocasta, his biological mother, thus fulfilling the second part of the prophecy.
- Truth Unveiled and Devastating Consequences: The horrifying truth is eventually revealed. Jocasta, overcome with despair, takes her own life. Oedipus, in a fit of anguish, blinds himself. Banished from Thebes, he wanders into exile with his daughters, Antigone and Ismene.
A Quarrel for the Throne and a Brother's War
- Sibling Rivalry: Oedipus' sons, Eteocles and Polynices, clash over who will inherit the Theban throne. Polynices flees to Argos, seeking support from King Adrastus.
- The Seven Against Thebes: Adrastus assembles a force of seven heroes, including Polynices, to attack Thebes. A bloody battle ensues, with all but Adrastus losing their lives. The most shocking turn is the death of both Eteocles and Polynices, each slain by the other's hand.
Denial of Burial Rights and a Second War
- A Final Insult: The newly crowned Theban king, Creon, refuses to allow proper burial rites for the fallen heroes, considered a grave offense by the Greeks.
- A Plea for Justice: Adrastus begs Theseus, king of Athens, to intervene. Theseus successfully attacks Thebes, securing burial honors for the fallen warriors.
The Epigoni: A Son's Revenge
- A Decade Later: Ten years after the initial conflict, the sons of the fallen heroes launch a second attack on Thebes, seeking vengeance for their fathers' deaths. This war is known as the War of the Epigones.
- Victory and Destruction: The sons achieve victory, capturing and destroying Thebes.
A Legacy of Tragedy
This complex saga branches out into numerous tales, inspiring many of the greatest works of Greek tragedy. It serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of defying fate, the devastating consequences of unchecked pride, and the enduring burden of family curses.