Polynices in the ancient sources

Ancient Sources / Figures / Polynices

44 passages from 8 ancient authors that tell of Polynices, in the original with English translation, author by author in the order the Greeks read them. Polynices was the son of Oedipus and Jocasta in Greek mythology, brother of Eteocles, Antigone and Ismene. Their father was the ruler of Thebes, who h... For the story in one place, read our article on Polynices.

Apollodorus (2)

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.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 3.7.1–7Creon, Antigone, the Epigoni and AlcmaeonCreon takes the kingdom and forbids the burial of the Argive dead; Antigone buries Polynices and is entombed alive, and Theseus's Athenians recover the dead for Adrastus. Ten years later the sons of the fallen, the Epigoni, take Thebes under Alcmaeon, and the Thebans flee after Tiresias's death. Alcmaeon kills his mother Eriphyle, is driven mad, marries Arsinoe and Callirrhoe, and is killed over Harmonia's necklace and robe; his sons by Callirrhoe avenge him and colonize Acarnania.

Pindar (1)

Pindar, Olympian Odes 2.1–100Olympian 2: for Theron — the house of Cadmus and the Isles of the BlestPindar praises Theron of Acragas, victor in the chariot race, and prays that time may heal the sorrows of his house. He recalls the house of Cadmus, with Laïus, Oedipus, the Fury that made his sons kill one another, and Polyneices' son Thersander. He then describes the afterlife, in which the wicked are punished and the good go to the Isles of the Blest, where Rhadamanthys judges and Peleus, Cadmus and Achilles dwell, and he ends by answering envy with the praise of Theron's generosity.

Aeschylus (3)

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 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.

Sophocles (13)

Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 1399–1447Fifth episode (cont.): Polyneices goes to his fatePolyneices cries out at the failure of his journey, and asks his sisters, if the curse is fulfilled, to give him burial. Antigone begs him to turn his army back to Argos, since his attack would ruin them both. He answers that he cannot turn back, and that his brother's laughter would be intolerable, and he leaves, saying that they will see him living no more.
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, Antigone 100–161bParodos: the Chorus of Theban eldersThe Chorus of Theban elders greet the sunrise that has driven off the Argive army that came because of Polyneices' claims. They sing how Zeus struck down a boaster as he was starting to shout victory at the ramparts, how the seven captains fell at the seven gates, and how the two brothers killed each other. They call for a night of dancing in the temples with Bacchus as their leader, and as they end they see Creon, the new king, approaching.
Sophocles, Antigone 1183–1256Exodos: Eurydice, and the news from the tombCreon's wife Eurydice comes out of the house, having overheard part of the news, and asks to hear it in full. The Messenger tells how Creon and his men buried Polyneices and then went to the vault, where they found Antigone hanged and Haemon embracing her body. Haemon spat at his father and drew his sword, then fell on it, and Eurydice goes silently into the house.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 361–420First episode (cont.): Ismene's news from ThebesIsmene tells of the quarrel of her brothers, who first wished to leave the throne to Creon but are now fighting for it, and of Polyneices, who has been driven out and is raising an army at Argos. She brings oracles saying that the Thebans will need Oedipus, living or dead, and that Creon will come to settle him on the border of Theban land. Oedipus asks whether his sons knew this and still preferred the throne, and she answers that they did.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 1211–1253Third stasimon: the burden of old ageThe Chorus sing that whoever craves the longer length of life, not content with a moderate share, is a fool, since long years bring more pain than joy, and death at last is the common release. They say that the best fortune is never to be born, and the next best is to go back quickly to where one came from. Oedipus, battered like a northern shore by storms, is such an example, and Antigone sees Polyneices coming.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 1254–1283Fifth episode: Polyneices arrivesPolyneices weeps at the sight of his father in rags, blind, with unkempt hair, and confesses that he has been the worst of sons. He begs his father to speak to him, since he is a suppliant of the god, and Oedipus remains silent. Antigone tells her brother to say himself what he has come to seek, since words may move his father.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 1346–1398Fifth episode (cont.): Oedipus curses PolyneicesThe Chorus urge Oedipus to say what he thinks fit, and Oedipus replies that he would not speak to Polyneices had Theseus not sent him. He says that his sons cast him out and did nothing for him, and that he owes his care only to his daughters. He foretells that neither son will conquer Thebes but that each will fall by the other's hand, and calls on his curses to stand as his allies.
Sophocles, Antigone 237–331First episode (cont.): the guard reports the burialA guard comes in fear to report that someone has buried the body of Polyneices, with a light covering of dust, and left no trace. Creon is furious, rejects the Chorus' suggestion that the gods are involved, accuses unnamed men and the guard himself of taking bribes, and orders him to find the culprit or face a worse punishment.
Sophocles, Antigone 988–1032Fourth episode: Teiresias warns CreonThe blind seer Teiresias, led by a boy, tells Creon that the city is sick because of his decision: the altars are polluted by the flesh of the unburied Polyneices, which the dogs and birds have carried there, and the gods no longer accept sacrifice. He urges Creon to relent and bury the dead.
Sophocles, Antigone 1033–1114Fourth episode (cont.): Creon yieldsCreon accuses Teiresias of taking a bribe, and the seer answers with a prophecy that Creon will soon lose a child of his own body, and leaves. The Chorus remind Creon that the seer has never been wrong, and Creon, shaken, asks what to do and agrees to free Antigone and bury Polyneices.
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 (17)

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 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 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 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 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 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 88–144Prologue: Antigone and the old servant watch the Argive army from the roofThe old servant brings Antigone to the roof of the palace, so that she may see the Argive army camped by the Ismenus. He names the leaders Hippomedon and Tydeus as they march past, and Antigone comments on their armor.
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 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 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 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.

5 more passages of Euripides that name Polynices

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 (6)

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 9.5.1–16Thebes: 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 2.20.1–10Argos: Gracious Zeus, the Seven against Thebes and TelesillaAt Argos Pausanias describes the statue of Gracious Zeus by Polyclitus, set up after the Argives destroyed the thousand-man regiment of Bryas, then the relief of Cleobis and Biton and sanctuaries of Nemean Zeus and Fortune. He lists the statues of the Seven against Thebes and the later captors of Thebes, the tombs of Danaus and Cephisus’ shrine, and the theatre group of Perilaus and Othryadas. He ends with the sanctuary of Aphrodite and the story of Telesilla and the women who repelled Cleomenes.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 4.8.1–13First Messenian War: the pitched battle between Euphaes and the two Spartan kingsPausanias describes the fierce, silent battle, the Spartan advantage in numbers and training, the desperation of the Messenians and the duel between Euphaes and Theopompus. The Messenians are victorious on one wing but hard pressed on the other after the death of Pytharatus, and nightfall ends the fighting. Next day both sides arrange the burial of the dead without erecting trophies.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.25.1–10Thebes: tomb of Menoeceus, Dirce, Pindar's house and the CabiriPausanias describes the tomb of Menoeceus with its pomegranate-tree, the pillar marking the single combat of Oedipus' sons and the place called the Dragging of Antigone. He notes the river Dirce, Pindar's house and the sanctuary of Mother Dindymene, and the sanctuaries of Themis, the Fates, Zeus of the Market and Hercules Nose-docker. He ends with the grove and sanctuary of the Cabiri, giving the Theban account of their rites and of the punishment of those who profaned them.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 10.10.1–8Delphi: offerings of the Athenians and Argives, and the Tarentine offerings and founding of TarentumPausanias describes the Athenian offering from the spoils of Marathon, with the statues of Athena, Apollo, Miltiades and the tribal heroes by Phidias, and the Argive offerings of the Seven against Thebes and the Epigoni and of the descendants of Danaus. He then describes the bronze horses and captive women of the Tarentines, and tells how Phalanthus understood the oracle of rain under a clear sky when his wife Aethra wept, and took Tarentum.

Epic Cycle (1)

Epic Cycle, Summaries and Fragments 3.1–4.4Thebaid and EpigoniThe Thebaid fragments tell how Polyneices set a silver table before Oedipus and how Oedipus called down a curse on his sons when he saw the haunch, and how Adrastus fled Thebes with Areion. The Epigoni is quoted for the Teumesian fox and for Manto, the daughter of Teiresias, who was sent to Delphi.