Eteocles in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Eteocles

31 passages from 6 ancient authors that tell of Eteocles, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Eteocles was a king of Thebes in Greek mythology, son of Oedipus and Jocasta, and brother of Polynices, Antigone and Ismene. Their father, Oedipus, h... For the story in one place, read our article on Eteocles.

Apollodorus (1)

Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.6.1–8The Seven against ThebesEteocles and Polynices quarrel over the throne of Thebes, and Polynices gathers an Argive army under Adrastus. Amphiaraus foresees disaster but is compelled to join by Eriphyle, who has accepted the necklace of Harmonia. At Nemea the infant Opheltes is killed by a serpent and the Nemean games are founded; at Thebes Menoeceus sacrifices himself on Tiresias's word, Capaneus is struck by lightning, and Eteocles and Polynices kill each other. Tydeus loses Athena's gift by eating Melanippus's brain, Amphiaraus is swallowed by the earth, and only Adrastus escapes.

Aeschylus (7)

Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes 181–287First episode: Eteocles rebukes the womenEteocles reproaches the Chorus for their cries and for clinging to the statues, since panic will weaken the city's defence. He tells them to be silent and to stay in their houses, and to pray quietly while the men do the fighting, and he promises sacrifices to the gods if the city is saved. The women agree to be silent, and Eteocles goes to station six men at the gates with himself as the seventh.
Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes 653–719Third episode: Eteocles decides to fight his brotherEteocles laments the curse of Oedipus on his family, and says that he will himself stand at the seventh gate to fight Polyneices. The Chorus beg him not to stain his hands with a brother's blood, but he answers that if evil must come, it should come without dishonour, and that when the gods give evils one cannot flee them.
Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes 1–77Prologue: Eteocles and the ScoutEteocles calls on the citizens of Thebes to defend the city, every man at his post, and says that the seer foretells a great Argive attack. A Scout comes back from the enemy camp and reports that seven champions have sworn an oath over a slaughtered bull, and are casting lots for the gates. Eteocles prays to Zeus, Earth and the gods of the city to save Thebes from capture.
Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes 457–562Second episode: Eteoclus, Hippomedon and Parthenopaeus at the next three gatesThe Scout reports Eteoclus at the third gate, Hippomedon, who spins his huge shield, at the fourth, and Parthenopaeus of Arcadia at the fifth. For each, Eteocles names a Theban to meet him, Megareus, Hyperbius and Actor, and he says that the signs on the enemies' shields tell of their own doom.
Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes 563–652Second episode: Amphiaraus and Polyneices at the last two gatesThe Scout names the sixth champion, the seer Amphiaraus, who rebukes Tydeus and Polyneices for leading the attack and carries no sign on his shield. Eteocles pities the just man who is joined with the impious, and sets Lasthenes against him. The Scout then names the seventh champion at the seventh gate, Eteocles' own brother Polyneices, who prays that he may kill Eteocles or die with him.
Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes 1011–1084Exodos: the Herald's decree and Antigone's defianceA Herald announces the decree of the Theban council that Eteocles is to be buried with honour and that Polyneices is to be left unburied, outside the city, to be torn by dogs. Antigone declares that she will bury her brother whatever the decree says. The Chorus divides, one half going with her, the other with the body of Eteocles.
Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes 369–456Second episode: Tydeus and Capaneus at the first two gatesThe Scout comes back and reports where the seven chieftains stand. Tydeus is storming the Proetid gates and rages at the seer for holding him back. Eteocles sets Melanippus against him, and then, after the Chorus prays, he answers the Scout's report of Capaneus, a giant who has boasted that even Zeus cannot keep him out of the city, by posting Polyphontes against him and trusting in the thunderbolt of Zeus.

Sophocles (3)

Sophocles, Antigone 162–236First episode: Creon's edictCreon addresses the elders as the new king after the death of Eteocles and Polyneices. He says that he will never make a friend of a man who is hostile to his country, and announces that Eteocles will be honoured and Polyneices left unburied. The Chorus answer that the law is his to make, and a guard comes in, hesitating, to bring news.
Sophocles, Antigone 1–99Prologue: Antigone and IsmeneAntigone tells her sister Ismene that Creon has ordered Eteocles to be buried with honour while the body of Polyneices is left unburied for the birds, and that anyone who buries him will be stoned to death before the whole city. She asks Ismene to help her lift the corpse. Ismene refuses, saying that they are women and must obey those in power, and Antigone answers that she will bury her brother alone.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 1284–1345Fifth episode (cont.): Polyneices' pleaPolyneices says that he was driven from Thebes by his younger brother Eteocles, who has taken the throne, and that he has gathered seven armies at Argos to attack the city. He names the seven champions who besiege Thebes. He begs his father to put away his anger and to join them, since the oracles say that victory will go to the side that has him, and promises to restore him to his home.

Euripides (14)

Euripides, Phoenician Women 588–637Second episode: the brothers' quarrel; Polyneices leavesEteocles refuses all terms and orders his brother out of the land. The two exchange threats, and Eteocles will not let him see his father or sisters. Polyneices calls on his country and the gods as witnesses, and leaves, while Jocasta laments the curse on her sons.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 690–747Third episode: Eteocles and Creon discuss how to defend the cityEteocles sends for Creon, who arrives at once, to discuss the war. They consider an attack, an ambush and a night raid, and Creon rejects each. He advises choosing seven captains to meet the Argive leaders at the seven gates.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 1356–1426Messenger speech: the brothers' duelThe Messenger describes how the brothers prayed to Hera and Athena and then fought between the armies. Each wounded the other, and Eteocles used a Thessalian trick to stab Polyneices through the belly. As he began to strip his fallen brother, Polyneices drove his sword into him, and both lay dead.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 1–87Prologue: Jocasta tells the story of the house of OedipusJocasta tells how Laius ignored the oracle and begot Oedipus, who killed his father at the crossroads and married her after solving the Sphinx's riddle. She says that Oedipus blinded himself when he learned the truth, and that his sons shut him in the palace and he curses them. Eteocles refused to give up the throne after a year, and Polyneices has come with an Argive army, but she has arranged a meeting under truce.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 443–498Second episode: Eteocles arrives; Polyneices states his claimEteocles comes in to hear the terms, and Jocasta urges both sons to forget their anger. Polyneices speaks first, saying that Eteocles broke their agreement to rule in alternate years. He says that he will withdraw his army if he is given his turn.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 499–587Second episode: Eteocles refuses; Jocasta pleads for equalityEteocles says that he would do anything to keep tyranny, the greatest of the gods, and will not yield. Jocasta pleads with him to honor Equality instead of Ambition. She warns both sons that war will bring ruin to Thebes and shame to Polyneices.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 1202–1263Fifth episode: the Messenger reports the brothers' challenge to single combatJocasta thanks the gods, but presses the Messenger to say more. He reluctantly tells her that Eteocles offered single combat to Polyneices to decide the throne, that Polyneices agreed, and that both armies swore a truce. He tells her that the brothers are arming, and urges her to try to stop them.
Euripides, Suppliants 837–917Fourth episode: Adrastus praises the seven fallen chiefsTheseus says that he had meant to ask Adrastus about the battle, but that he can leave it, and asks him to tell him the character of each of the fallen. Adrastus describes them one by one, among them Capaneus struck by Zeus' bolt, Eteocles, Parthenopaeus, the son of Atalanta, and Tydeus, and says that they should be a model for the young.
Euripides, Suppliants 1009–1071Exodos: Evadne leaps onto the pyre of CapaneusEvadne says that she is on the rock that overlooks the pyre and will leap into the fire to be with Capaneus. Her father Iphis arrives, an aged man, grieving for his son Eteocles, and asks where his daughter is; she tells him from the rock that she means to die, and that he cannot stop her, and she leaps.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 834–895Fourth episode: Teiresias arrives and hints at a hidden remedyTeiresias comes, led by his daughter, and Creon helps him to a seat. He tells how he has just given the Athenians victory over Eumolpus. He says that the troubles of Thebes began with Laius, and hints that there is one way to save the city, but says that he will not tell it.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 1067–1201Fifth episode: a Messenger describes the seven gates and the Argive assaultA Messenger tells Jocasta that both sons are still alive and that the city is safe. He tells how Menoeceus died on the turret and how Eteocles posted seven companies at the gates. He describes the Argive leaders, the shield devices and the first assault, and how Capaneus was struck by a thunderbolt as he climbed the wall.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 1584–1638Exodos: Creon banishes Oedipus and forbids burial of PolyneicesCreon tells Oedipus that Eteocles made him ruler and that Teiresias has said that Oedipus must leave. Oedipus laments his fate and says that he will not beg. Creon orders that Polyneices be cast out unburied, on pain of death for anyone who buries him.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 1639–1766Exodos: Antigone defies Creon; Oedipus goes into exileAntigone argues against Creon's decree, vows to bury Polyneices and refuses to marry Haemon, choosing to share her father's exile. Oedipus embraces his dead family and says that he is to die at Colonus in Athens. He bids the citizens farewell and leaves with Antigone.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 748–783Third episode: Eteocles posts the seven captains and forbids burial of PolyneicesEteocles agrees to set captains at the gates, and renews the betrothal of Antigone to Haemon. He asks Creon to send Menoeceus for Teiresias. He orders that Polyneices must be left unburied if he wins, and prays to Caution.

Diodorus Siculus (1)

Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.64.1–4.66.6Oedipus, the Seven against Thebes and the EpigoniLaïus is killed by his unknown son Oedipus, who solves the riddle of the Sphinx and, unknowingly marrying his mother, has two sons and two daughters; the sons quarrel over the throne. Polyneices gathers an army against Thebes and Eriphyle, bribed with the necklace of Harmonia, sends Amphiaraüs to his death; the Seven fail, and the Athenians force the Thebans to give up the dead. At the seer Teiresias' advice the Thebans leave the city for Tilphossaeum, and the Epigoni take and sack it, dedicating Teiresias' daughter Daphne to Delphi, where she is also called Sibylla.

Pausanias (5)

Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.5.1–16Thebes: Cadmus, Amphion and Zethus, Oedipus and the early kingsPausanias gives the early history of Thebes: the Ectenians under Ogygus, then Hyantians and Aonians, then Cadmus, who founded the Cadmea, and the Sparti. He traces the line of Polydorus, Labdacus and Laius, and Amphion and Zethus, who added the lower city. He argues from Homer that Oedipus' children were by Euryganea and not Jocasta, and ends with Polynices and Eteocles, the second expedition of the Argives and the later kings.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.34.1–10Itonian Athena, Coronea, Mount Laphystius and the early history of OrchomenusPausanias describes the sanctuary of Itonian Athena, where the Boeotians hold their general assembly, and the story of the priestess Iodama. At Coronea he lists the altars in the market-place and the sanctuary of Hera, as well as Mount Libethrius and the sanctuary of Laphystian Zeus where the golden ram saved Phrixus and Helle. He then begins the history of Orchomenus with Andreus, Athamas and the founders of Haliartus and Coronea, and Eteocles.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.35.1–7Orchomenus: the Graces, how many there were and how they were representedPausanias discusses the Graces: Eteocles of Orchomenus first sacrificed to them, the Lacedaemonians and Athenians recognise two, and Homer, Hesiod, Onomacritus, Antimachus and Hermesianax give differing numbers, parents and names. He notes that older artists such as Bupalus, Apelles and Socrates represented the Graces draped, and says he does not know who first showed them naked.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 5.19.1–10Olympia: the Chest of Cypselus, fourth and fifth fieldsPausanias describes the fourth field, including Boreas and Orithyia, Hercules and Geryon, the fight of Achilles and Memnon, the Dioscuri rescuing Helen, scenes from the Trojan war, the judgment of Paris and the sons of Oedipus. He then gives his readings of the unlabelled uppermost field, such as Ulysses and Circe, and guesses that the verses are by Eumelus of Corinth.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.36.1–8Orchomenus: Phlegyas, Minyas and his treasury, and HyettusPausanias continues the kings of Orchomenus: Chryse's son Phlegyas, whose warlike Phlegyans raided Delphi and were destroyed by the god, then Chryses and Minyas, who built the first treasury. He says Greek historians neglected the treasury of Minyas in favour of the Egyptian pyramids. He recounts the reign of Orchomenus, the arrival of the exile Hyettus from Argos and the marriage of Chloris, daughter of Amphion, to Neleus.