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Funerary urn from Volterra, depicting the battle against Thebes, Late 2nd century B.C., from Rom. Mitt. Ergan. 27 (1986) Plate 72 |
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This episode of Greek mythology concerns the conflict that arose between the sons of Oedipus, Eteocles and Polyneices, after the exile of their father. The two brothers agreed to share the kingship of Thebes, and devised a plan in which they would take turns ruling the city, alternating every other year. After the first year, however, Eteocles refused to give up the throne, and drove his brother from the city. Polyneices then fled to Argos, where he was received by King Adrastos. Polyneices was soon married to one of Adrastos' daughters, and because of this connection, the king agreed to lead an expedition against Thebes, in order to restore power to his new son-in-law. The army set off towards Thebes, making a stop at Nemea, where the baby Opheltes was killed by a serpent, and in his honor the Seven founded the Nemean Games. After performing these funeral games, they resumed their journey. When they arrived at the city, the Seven Heroes took their places at each of the seven gates surrounding the city. The Theban heroes drew lots for the gates they would defend; Eteocles was assigned the position against his brother Polyneices. When the battle began, the heroes fought valiantly on both sides, but it seemed that the Seven Heroes were gaining the upper hand. In the end, however, all had fallen, including Eteocles and Polyneices, each slain by the hand of his own brother.
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