Thebes was a city of south east of

Boeotia, was founded by its first king,

Cadmus, descendant of Io and brother of
Europa. Thebes was originally called
Cadmeia. Later, Cadmeia was name of
the citadel, while the entire city was
renamed Thebes, named after Thebe,
wife of Amphion. Amphion and Zethus
(twin brothers) were the builders of
Thebes' walls and its famous seven
gates.
 The founder of Thebes. A brother of
Europa who was told by Apollo to found
his own city instead of searching for his
sister. He bore four ill-fated daughters.
 jhen Europa was carried away
by a bull, her father sent her
brothers to find her. One brother,
Cadmus, went to Delphi to ask
Apollo where she was. . Apollo told
him to stop looking and build a city
of his own. Apollo said he would
find a heifer after leaving Delphi
and she would lead him to the site.
This is how Thebes was founded.
He first had to kill a dragon who
guarded a spring nearby. This
dragon was killing all his men! He
slew it, and with the aide and
advice of Athena, built the city.
Cadmus' wife was Harmonia. They
had four daughters (Semele, Ino,
Agave, Autonome) and one son.
All of the daughters led tragic lives.
Semele died before the unveiled
glory of Zeus. Ino's husband went
mad and killed their son, Melicertes.
jith his dead body, she jumped into
the sea. Dionysus drove Agave mad
and she killed her son, Pentheus,
believing he was a lion. Autonoe's
son accidentally stumbled upon
Artemis' bathing area. Artemis
changed him into a deer and his own
dogs killed him.
After the death of Pentheus,
Cadmus and Harmonia left Thebes
to flee from misfortune. Cadmus
and his wife were turned into
serpents in their old age for no
apparent reason. However, it
didn't work and they were turned
into serpents when they reached
Illyria. Their story shows that the
innocent suffer as often as the
guilty.
 The child Oedipus was
exposed by his parents on Mount
Cithaeron, but having been found
was adopted by Periboea 4,
Queen of Corinth. He accidentally
killed his father, and after
solving the riddle of the Sphinx,
became King of Thebes, where
he unwittingly married his
mother. Later, as calamities
accumulated, he was driven into
exile after having put out his
eyes and cursed his sons.
 þLord of Thebes, do not
sow a furrow of children
against the will of the
gods; for if you beget a
son, that child will kill
you, and all your house
shall wade through
blood.þ
 King Laius of Thebes was the
great-grandson of Cadmus. His
wife was Jocasta. Apollo's oracle
warned Laius that his son would
kill him. Everyone knew it was
futile to try and change but Laius
tried anyway. jhen his son was
born, he had its feet bound
together and left it on a lonely
mountain to die.
He believed he had won.
Many years after the child's
birth, he was away from
home and he and all his
men, but one, were slain by
bandits. The case was pretty
much left alone because
Thebes had bigger problems
at this time.
þjhat is that which
has one voice and
yet becomes four-
footed and two-
footed and three-
footed?þ
 In order to face the threat, Creon made
a proclamation throughout Hellas,
promising that he would give the kingdom
of Thebes along with his sister Jocasta in
marriage to the person solving the riddle of
the Sphinx. It was not difficult to find
candidates; for when it comes to acquiring
power, property, and women, there are
always many disposed to go through no
matter which risks and atrocities.
Accordingly, many came and many were
destroyed by the Sphinx, who gobbled them
up one after the other.
 A creature shaped like
a winged lion, but
with the face and
breast of a woman,
lay in wait outside the
gate of the city.
She stopped every traveler and asked
them a riddle. She ate them if they couldn't
get it; none could. Famine was drawing near
the people of Thebes. The Sphinx was brought
to an end when one man, Oedipus, got her
riddle.
 Oedipus went up, and meet the
Sphinx, he asserted that the riddle
referred to man because as a little child
he is four-footed, going on his arms and
legs, as an adult he is two-footed, and
as an old man he gets a third limb in a
staff. This Oedipus knew only too well,
who had his own feet mutilated, and
already used a staff; but on hearing the
solution, the Sphinx kept her promise
and destroyed herself by throwing
herself down from the citadel.
Oedipus was a wanderer in
self-exile from his hometown,
Corinth. He left because an
oracle said he would kill his
father, supposedly Polybus, and
he wouldn't allow that. The
grateful citizens made him king
and he married Jocasta.
 jhen the two sons of Jocasta
and Oedipus were men, a horrible
famine hit Thebes. Apollo declared
that the only way it would stop
was if Laius' murderer was
punished. Oedipus sent out a
search for this person. He asked
Tiresias, the blind prophet, to tell
him. Tiresias was reluctant, but
the answer finally came out.
The murderer was-- Oedipus!
Oedipus thought this was totally
crazy! Jocasta told him the story of
Laius' death. jhen he found that
Laius had been murdered just
before he had arrived in Thebes
and he had been with five men,
things clicked. Oedipus had killed
some men on his way to Thebes.
The one survivor of that catastrophe
was sent for.
A messenger from Corinth came
to announce the death of
Polybus. The messenger tells
Oedipus he is not the son of
Polybus. jhen the old survivor
enters, the messenger
recognizes him as the man who
gave the baby to him. They find
Oedipus really was the son of
Laius.
Prophecy came true. Oedipus
killed his father, married his
mother and had children people
would shudder to look at. He
seekd for his wife/mother and
finds she had killed herself
because the truth had gotten out.
He punished himself by poking out
his eyes. He'd now enter a dark
world of refuge.
 Having realized his plight,
Oedipus tore the brooches from his
mother's garment and blinded
himself. He gave the kingdom for
alternate years to his sons
Polynices and Eteocles 1, but he
also cursed them and was forced
by them to go into exile, being
then accompanied by his daughter
Antigone.
It has also been told that before
Oedipus went into exile, his sons hid
him behind bars, hoping that the
disgrace might be forgotten, and that
while he still was living in the house,
he made the most unholy curses
against his sons, praying that they
may divide their inheritance with a
sharp sword. Since the brothers were
scared by these curses, they agreed to
alternate as kings, a deal they did not
respect.
And it is told that when Oedipus
wished to leave Thebes he was not
allowed to do so, but when he grew
accustomed to stay at home, even
as a prisoner, he was expelled.
Jocasta, his mother and wife,
committed suicide; according to
some, she hanged herself in a
noose, but others say that she killed
herself with a sword.
 Antigone is a daughter of
the accidentally incestuous
marriage between King
Oedipus of Thebes and his
mother Jocasta.
 Antigone opens shortly before
dawn outside of the palace at
Thebes, where Antigone meets
her sister Ismene. Together they
grieve over the losses their
family has suffered. First, their
father, Oedipus, had
unknowingly murdered his own
father, ascended the throne, and
married his mother.
 jhen Oedipus discovered this, he
put out his eyes and wandered as an
exile from Thebes until his death. Then
their brothers Polyneices and Eteocles
had killed each other in a battle
between Thebes and the city of Argos.
Now, because Polyneices fought
against Thebes, Creon, the new king of
Thebes, has ordered that his corpse
remain unburied, thus condemning his
spirit to roam the earth for one
hundred years.
'rieved, Antigone calls on
Ismene to join her in carrying
out their duty to their brother
in spite of the edict. Antigone
appeals to her sister·s familial
duty. Ismene, on the other
hand, argues that, as women,
they should not question the
decisions of men ³ especially
an edict from the king.
Creon, newly crowned as king
over the city-state, comes from
the palace. He asks the elders
to show him the same loyalty
they had previously awarded
Oedipus. He restates his edict
that Polyneices shall not be
buried, vowing that no foe of
the city shall be his friend.
One of the sentry guard tells Creon
that someone has sprinkled dust on
the body of Polyneices ³ an attempt
at burial that violates Creon·s decree.
An elder suggests that the act is the
work of a god. Creon disagrees and
warns the old man against such
foolish proclamations. It is base, he
argues, to defy the state, not the
glorious act of a god. He sends the
sentry back to his post, commanding
that he find the lawbreaker.
The guard returns bringing Antigone
as his captive. The guard reports that
just after they had removed the dust
from Polyneices, Antigone was
caught trying to bury her brother a
second time. jhen questioned by
Creon, Antigone admits to both
attempts at burial. Creon condemns
her; Antigone asserts that she has
done a noble deed by honoring her
family and following the ´unwritten
law.µ
Creon suspects that, due to her odd
behavior earlier, Ismene may be an
accomplice in her sister·s crimes. jhen
she comes forth, the chorus of elders
recognizes that Ismene is innocent; her
tears are not of guilt but sorrow for her
sister. Antigone states that she acted
alone, absolving her sister of guilt.
Ismene pleads for Antigone·s life,
reminding the king that not only is his
prisoner family (Antigone is Creon·s
niece), she is also betrothed to his son,
Haemon.
 As Antigone and Ismene are led
away, Haemon appears. He appeals
to his father·s ego, asking that he let
Antigone go free to show the people
that he is a kind and forgiving ruler.
Though Creon briefly considers his
son·s advice, when Haemon notes
that citizens are concerned for
Antigone·s welfare, the king sees that
the argument is only made to free
Antigone.
He rejects his son·s proposal, stating
that he will not have his laws
questioned by a woman, nor will he
accede to the desires of his son. He
vows to execute Antigone in
Haemon·s presence, but his son
leaves, vowing that his father will
never see him again. Creon decides
to bury Antigone alive with enough
food and water so that the city itself
is not held to blame for her death.
Antigone is led to a cavern
where she will be sealed inside
of a tomb. The chorus of elders
mourn for her, speaking of
comparisons to Persephone,
who also died young and
without a husband. The chorus
also seems to mock Antigone,
however.
After Antigone has been led away,
Teiresias, a blind seer, is brought
before Creon. The prophet warns
Creon that he is responsible for a
sickness that has descended on
Thebes. Polyneices·s unburied
body has polluted the city and the
gods will hear no more prayers.
The body is also polluting the cities
close to Thebes, causing ill will
toward Creon·s city-state.
Creon accuses the old man of
trickery, stating that some
enemy must have paid the seer
to come and upset him.
Teiresias accuses Creon of
tyranny and selfishness,
warning the king that he will
lose his son and great grief will
befall his house.
After Teiresias exits, Creon
becomes fearful. He decides
to heed the advice of the
elders, allow Polyneices to
be buried, and set Antigone
free. jhen he exits the
elders pray to Bacchus for
the safe-keeping of the city.
A messenger enters and reports
that Haemon has taken his own
life. Eurydice, Creon·s wife, comes
from the palace to receive this
information. She learns how Creon
and his men first gave Polyneices
an honorable burial, and how,
when they came to Antigone·s
crypt, they found that she had
hanged herself.
Haemon, in grief, tried to
stab his father and, failing
this, impaled himself.
Eurydice bears this news
in silence, returning to
the palace.
Creon returns to the palace
bearing the body of his son. He
is grief-stricken over the results
of his own stubbornness. He
then learns that Eurydice has
also taken her own life. Creon
begins to rave, calling himself a
rash, foolish man whose life
has been overwhelmed by
death.
 The Seven Against
Thebes was the famous war
between the Argive army
led by seven champions and
the city of Thebes. The war
was set after the reign of
Oedipus in Thebes, and a
generation before the
Trojan jar.
 He was the son of Iphis. He is one of
the seven champions who attack Thebes'
seven gates. He bears a man scaling a
tower with a ladder on his shield, and
attacks the Neistan gates.
However, in the Phoenician jomen,
Eteoclus is not one of the seven who
attack Thebes. Instead, he withdraws
after seeing that Zeus is displeased with
the attackers, and Adrastus replaces him
at the gate.
 Amphiaraus was the son of Oecles and
Hypermnestra, and husband of Eriphyle.
Amphiaraus was the King of Argos along with
Adrastus³ the brother of Amphiaraus' wife,
Eriphyle³ and Iphis. Amphiaraus was a seer,
and greatly honored in his time. Both Zeus and
Apollo favored him, and Zeus gave him his
oracular talent. The material of the tragic war
of the Seven Against Thebes. Eriphyle
persuaded Amphiaraus to take part in the
raiding venture, against his better judgment,
for he knew he would die.
 He was a son of Hipponous and Astynome,
and husband of Evadne, with whom he
fathered Sthenelus. Capaneus had immense
strength and body size and was an outstanding
warrior. He was also notorious for his
arrogance. He stood just at the wall of Thebes
at the siege of Thebes and shouted that Zeus
himself could not stop him from invading it. He
bears a shield with a man without armor
withstanding fire, a torch in hand, which reads
'I will burn the city,' in token of this. Zeus
struck and killed Capaneus with a thunderbolt.
 He was one of the Seven Against
Thebes. His father was either Talaus, or
Aristomachus. He lived either at Mycenae or
near the lake in Peloponessus. In
Aeschylus' tragedy Seven Against Thebes,
Hippomedon is one of the seven champions
who attack the seven gates of Thebes.
Aeschylus describes him as very large and
powerful. He bears a fire-breathing typhon
on his shield and attacks the gate of Athena
Onca, but is killed in the battle by Ismarus.
 He was one of the Seven
Against Thebes and the son of
Atalanta and Hippomenes,
Meleager, or Ares, or perhaps the
son of Talaus. Parthenopeus was
killed while attacking Thebes, by
Periclymenus, Amphidicus, or
Asphodicus.
 jhile Eteocles ruled Thebes, Polyneices
visited first king Theses in Athens, then king
Adrastus in Argos, where he married Argea,
the king's daughter, after he raped her. He
enlisted Adrastus' help in attacking Thebes.
Polynices engendered the support of the
prophet Amphiaraus by offering his wife
Eriphyle the cursed necklace of Harmonia. The
Seven Against Thebes then attacked Thebes,
but were ultimately unsuccessful. During the
attack on Thebes, Polyneices and Eteocles
engaged in single combat. Both brothers died
in the battle.
 Before the fighting began, Tydeus was sent
into the city bearing a message for the
Cadmeians. He found them feasting in the house
of Eteocles, and challenged them to contests, all
of which he won with the help of Athena.
Enraged, the leaders sent a force of fifty men to
attack Tydeus on his way back to the army, with
Maion and Polyphontes leading them. Tydeus
killed all of them but Maion, whom Athena
advised him to spare. In the attack on Thebes,
Tydeus was severely wounded by Melanippus, but
killed him and ate his brains. This shocked
Athena, who would have made him immortal.
 Ten years later they conquered Thebes. Tiresias
the prophet died while escaping during the flight of
all Thebans. The sons were called Epigoni, þThe
After-Born,þ as if they'd come into the world too
late after all the good deeds had been done. jhen
Thebes fell, the 'reeks hadn't sailed to the Trojan
land. Diomedes, son of Tydeus was to be famed as
one of the most glorious of warriors who fought
before the walls of Troy.
] Edith Hamilton, Mythology : Timeless
Tales of 'ods and Heroes
]homepage.mac.com/cparada/'ML/O
edipus.html
]http://www.timelessmyths.com/classi
cal/thebes.html#Cadmus
]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_
Against_Thebes