Jocasta in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Jocasta

26 passages from 6 ancient authors that tell of Jocasta, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Jocasta, in Greek mythology, was the daughter of the king of Thebes, Menoeceus, and sister of Creon. She was the wife of Laius, who was given a prophe... For the story in one place, read our article on Jocasta.

Homer (1)

Homer, Odyssey 11.225–332The women of oldPersephone sends up the ghosts of the women who were wives and daughters of heroes, and Odysseus questions each in turn. He sees Tyro, Antiope, Alcmene, Megara, Epicaste, Chloris, Leda, Iphimedeia, Phaedra, Procris, Ariadne, Maera, Clymene and Eriphyle. He then breaks off, saying that the night is late.

Apollodorus (1)

Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.5.1–9Dionysus, Pentheus, Niobe and OedipusDionysus roams Egypt, Syria and Thrace, where Lycurgus is punished, and returns to Thebes, where Agave tears her son Pentheus apart; he also turns the Tyrrhenian pirates into dolphins. Cadmus and Harmonia go to the Encheleans and become serpents, and the house of Labdacus continues through Laius, Antiope with Zethus and Amphion, and Niobe, whose children are shot by Apollo and Artemis. Laius, warned against fathering a son, exposes the infant Oedipus, who kills him unknowingly, answers the Sphinx's riddle, marries Jocasta and learns the truth.

Sophocles (9)

Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus 698–770Third episode: Iocasta and the death of LaiusIocasta asks Oedipus the reason for his anger, and he tells her that Creon, through the seer, accuses him of the blood of Laius. She tells him not to believe prophets, and says that Laius was told that he would be killed by his son, abandoned the infant to die, and was himself killed by robbers where three roads meet. Oedipus is struck by the place, asks about the time and about the appearance of Laius and his escort, and learns that one servant survived and was sent away to the pastures.
Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus 911–998Fourth episode: the Corinthian messengerIocasta comes out to take offerings to Apollo and pray for an escape from their fear. A messenger from Corinth arrives and tells Iocasta and Oedipus that Polybus is dead, and Iocasta mocks the oracles. Oedipus is relieved that he is not his father's killer, but says that he still fears the oracle about his mother, Merope.
Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus 634–697Second episode (cont.): Iocasta stops the quarrelIocasta comes from the palace and tells the two men to stop a quarrel that is a disgrace in a country in sickness. Creon swears that he is innocent, and the Chorus and Iocasta beg Oedipus to respect his oath. Oedipus gives way, though he says that this means his own death or exile, and Creon leaves. The Chorus tell Iocasta to take Oedipus inside, and she asks what has happened.
Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus 999–1075Fourth episode (cont.): the messenger reveals that Oedipus was found as a childThe messenger tries to reassure Oedipus by telling him that Polybus and Merope were not his parents. He says that he himself received the child from another shepherd, a servant of Laius, on Mount Cithaeron and freed him when his ankles were pinned together. Iocasta, who sees the truth, begs Oedipus to stop asking and runs into the palace, and Oedipus says that he must know who he is.
Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus 771–862Third episode (cont.): Oedipus tells of Corinth and the crossroadsOedipus tells of his upbringing in Corinth as the son of Polybus and Merope, of the taunt that he was not their son, and of the oracle at Delphi which said that he would kill his father and marry his mother. He tells how he fled from Corinth, and how at the place where three roads meet he killed a man in a carriage and his attendants. He fears that he is the murderer, and hopes that the surviving servant will say that robbers, and not one man, killed Laius, and Iocasta sends for the servant.
Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus 583–633Second episode (cont.): Creon's defenceCreon argues that he has no motive to wish to be king, since he has all the honour of a king without its worries, and that no sensible man would plot in such a way. He asks Oedipus to test the oracle by sending to Delphi, and says that a bad man is known in a day. Oedipus says that he must act quickly against a stealthy plotter and that he wants Creon's death, and the Chorus see Iocasta coming to end the quarrel.
Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus 1186–1296Fourth stasimon; the Second Messenger reports the blindingThe Chorus sing that the life of mortals is a shadow, with Oedipus as the example, who rose to the heights and has fallen. A second messenger comes from the palace and tells that Iocasta has hanged herself, and that Oedipus, finding her body, took the golden brooches from her dress and struck them again and again into his own eyes. He adds that Oedipus asks for the gates to be opened and for himself to be banished.
Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus 1132–1185Fifth episode: the herdsman's confessionThe Corinthian reminds the old servant of the time they spent together on Cithaeron and of the child that he gave him. The servant tries to keep silent, but under threat he says that the child was said to be the son of Laius, given to him by Iocasta to be destroyed, and that he gave it away out of pity. He tells Oedipus that if he is the child, he was born ill-fated, and Oedipus cries that all is now clear.
Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus 1416–1477Exodos (cont.): Creon takes chargeCreon comes, not to mock Oedipus, but to take him inside, since the sight of such pollution should not be shown to the sun. Oedipus asks Creon to cast him out of the land, and Creon says that the god must decide. Oedipus asks him to bury Iocasta, to let him live on Cithaeron, and to care for his two daughters, and then hears them sobbing and learns that Creon has brought them.

Euripides (13)

Euripides, Phoenician Women 379–442First episode: Polyneices describes exile and his marriage at ArgosJocasta asks what exile is like, and Polyneices says that the exile cannot speak freely and lives on hope. He tells how Adrastus gave him a daughter in marriage, in answer to an oracle, and promised him an army. He asks her to end the quarrel by reconciling the brothers.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 1264–1306Sixth episode: Jocasta and Antigone hurry to stop the duel; the Chorus fearsJocasta calls Antigone out and tells her that they must go and stop their brothers. Antigone hesitates, but follows her mother. The Chorus sings in fear for the mother and asks which son will fall.
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 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, 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 1307–1355Exodos: Creon and a Messenger bring news of the deadCreon enters, carrying the body of Menoeceus, and asks for Jocasta. The Chorus tells him that she has gone to the brothers. A Messenger arrives and tells him that both sons and Jocasta are dead.
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 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 261–300First episode: Polyneices enters Thebes under trucePolyneices enters Thebes warily, drawing his sword, because he fears a trap even under the truce. He asks the Chorus who they are and learns that they are Phoenician women on the way to Delphi. He tells them his name, and they call Jocasta out to greet him.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 1427–1479Messenger speech: Jocasta's death and the Theban victoryThe Messenger tells how Jocasta and Antigone found the sons dying, and how Polyneices asked to be buried in his native land. Jocasta then killed herself with a sword from the dead. The armies quarreled over the victory, the Thebans attacked and routed the Argives, and they set up a trophy to Zeus.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 301–378First episode: Jocasta and Polyneices meet againJocasta comes out and embraces Polyneices, and tells of her mourning and of Oedipus' despair. She regrets that his marriage was made in a foreign land without her. Polyneices says that he has come in fear, but that all men love their native land, and asks about his father and sisters.
Euripides, Phoenician Women 1539–1583Exodos: Oedipus learns of the deathsOedipus comes out, led by Antigone, and asks why she has summoned him. She tells him that his sons and his wife are dead, and that his curse has been fulfilled. She describes the duel and Jocasta's death.

Pausanias (1)

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.

Epic Cycle (1)

Epic Cycle, Summaries and Fragments 1.1–2.3Titanomachy and OedipodeaThe Epic Cycle begins with the union of Heaven and Earth, who make three hundred-handed sons and three Cyclopes. The fragments of the War of the Titans name Aether, Aegaeon and Zeus dancing, and the Oedipodea fragments say that Oedipus' sons were born of Euryganeia, not Iocasta, and that the Sphinx killed Haemon.