Chapter 18: Oedipus and the Myths of Thebes

Question 1

Boeotia

Answer 1

‘cowland’
Area in Greece to the NW of Attic
Its principal city of Thebes is richly productive in myth

Question 2

Sparti

Answer 2

‘sown men’
So called because they sprang from the dragons teeth sown by Cadmus
Reputed ancestors of important aristocratic clans in Thebes

Question 3

Antiopê

Answer 3

mother by Zeus of Amphion and Sethus

Pursued by Nycteus her father, Lycus, her uncle

Question 4

Amphion

Answer 4

One of Antiope’s twin sons
Ruled in Thebes with his brother, Zethus
Unlike Zethus, he was devoted to music

Question 5

Zethus

Answer 5

One of Antiope’s twin sons
Ruled in Thebes with his brother, Amphion
Unlike his brother, he was a man of ranching and practical affairs

Question 6

Dircê

Answer 6

wife of Lycus

Tormented Antiope, until she herself was put to death by Antiope’s twin sons

Question 7

Laius

Answer 7

Son of Labdacus and father of Oedipus

Tried to avert the prophecy that he would be killed by his son, but in so trying, fulfilled it

Question 8

Jocasta

Answer 8

Wife of Laius and mother/wife of Oedipus
Kills herslef when she learns the truth of what has happened
Called Epicaste by Homer

Question 9

Oedipus

Answer 9

‘swollen foot’
Son of Laius and Jocasta
Raised in Corinth, he returns to Thebes where he unknowingly fulfills the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother

Question 10

Tydeus

Answer 10

Exile from Calydon and one of the 7 leaders against Thebes

Was nearly made immortal by Athena, but Amphiaraus thwarted it

Question 11

Polynices

Answer 11

Brother of Eteocles and son of Oedipus

Died during the Argive expedition against Thebes to force his borther out

Question 12

Haemon

Answer 12

Son of Creon
Supported Antigone’s case against his father
Killed himself when he realized she was dead

Question 13

Eteocles

Answer 13

One of Oedipus’s sons

Defended Thebes against a coalition of kinds led by his brother, Polynices

Question 14

Antigonê

Answer 14

A daughter of Oedipus

Defied Creon’s order that the body of her brother Polynices remain uburied

Question 15

Ismenê

Answer 15

Daughter of Oedipus

Is reluctant to help her sister, Antigone, to defy Creon’s order and bury their brother, Polynices

Question 16

Adrastus

Answer 16

King of Argos, and sole survivor of and Argive expedition against Thebes to put Polynices on the throne

Question 17

Amphiaraüs

Answer 17

Prophet and one of the Argive leaders against Thebes

Took part event hough he knew he would die

Question 18

Eriphylê

Answer 18

Wife of Amphiaraus, who orders him to participate in the 7 Against Thebes campaign
Killed by her son on his father’s orders

Question 19

Epigoni

Answer 19

The sons of the 7 Arigve ‘Seven Against Thebes’

Successfully attacked Thebes and ousted the king Laodamas