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1) Thebes was founded by Cadmus, who was told by Apollo to build the city after failing to find his sister Europa.
2) The city grew powerful under rulers like King Laius, but was plagued by tragedy, including the story of Oedipus unwittingly killing his father and marrying his mother.
3) After years of calamity, the story focuses on a power struggle between Antigone and new ruler Creon over burying one of her brothers killed in battle.
1) Thebes was founded by Cadmus, who was told by Apollo to build the city after failing to find his sister Europa.
2) The city grew powerful under rulers like King Laius, but was plagued by tragedy, including the story of Oedipus unwittingly killing his father and marrying his mother.
3) After years of calamity, the story focuses on a power struggle between Antigone and new ruler Creon over burying one of her brothers killed in battle.
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1) Thebes was founded by Cadmus, who was told by Apollo to build the city after failing to find his sister Europa.
2) The city grew powerful under rulers like King Laius, but was plagued by tragedy, including the story of Oedipus unwittingly killing his father and marrying his mother.
3) After years of calamity, the story focuses on a power struggle between Antigone and new ruler Creon over burying one of her brothers killed in battle.
Copyright:
Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Formati disponibili
Scarica in formato PPT, PDF, TXT o leggi online su Scribd
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