Thebes in the Ancient Sources: 142 Passages in Greek & English

Hesiod (6)

Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 1–74Alcmena and the birth of Heracles; Cycnus (1-74)The poem opens with Alcmena, the beautiful and faithful daughter of Electryon, whose husband Amphitryon had come to Thebes after killing her father and could not lie with her until he had avenged her brothers on the Taphians and Teleboans. While he is away, Zeus visits her by night and Amphitryon returns the same night, so that she bears twin sons, Heracles to Zeus and Iphicles to Amphitryon. The poem then turns to Heracles' fight with Cycnus, son of Ares, whom he met in the precinct of Apollo.
Hesiod, Works and Days 105–199The five ages of men (105-199)Hesiod tells how gods and mortals came from one source and describes the races of men: a golden race that lived at ease in the time of Cronos, a foolish silver race that would not honour the gods, a violent bronze race that destroyed itself, and the god-like race of heroes, some of whom died at Thebes and Troy while others live on the islands of the blessed. He laments that he lives in the fifth, iron race, and foretells that it will be destroyed when children are born grey-haired, kin are at odds and might is right.
Hesiod, Shield of Heracles 75–149Heracles and Iolaus arm for battle (75-149)Heracles tells his charioteer Iolaus how Amphitryon came to Thebes after killing Electryon over oxen, and how Iolaus's father lost his senses through Zeus and went to serve the wicked Eurystheus. He bids Iolaus drive straight at Ares, who is raging in Apollo's grove, and Iolaus answers with encouragement. Heracles then arms himself with greaves from Hephaestus, a breastplate from Athena, a quiver, a spear and a helm, and takes up the shield, which has Fear in adamant at its centre with Strife above his brow.
Hesiod, Fragments 1.19–29Agenor's line, Thebes and BoeotiaThese fragments give the children of Phoenix and Agenor, including Europa, Phineus and Adonis, and then the children of Niobe and the death of Oedipus at Thebes. The rest are brief notes on places and people of Boeotia, such as the river Cephisus, Arnae and Onchestus.
Hesiod, Fragments 1.86–96Dionysus, Coronis and CyreneHere Hesiod describes the gifts of Dionysus, the wine that brings joy and sorrow, and the story of Coronis, to whom a crow brought word to Pytho. Apollo and Asclepius appear, and Zeus is angry with Apollo. Cyrene and her son Aristaéus follow, then Antiope, and the building of the walls of Thebes by Zethus and Amphion.
Hesiod, Fragments 1.97–99Ellopia, a fierce boar and the house of AmphiarausA fragment describes the land of Ellopia, its flocks and cattle, and the oak oracle of Dodona. A longer passage describes a terrible fight in which no mortal could face a boar with gleaming tusks except Heracles. The last fragment gives the seer Amphiaraus, his wife Eriphyle and their son Alcmaeon.

Homer (4)

Homer, Iliad 9.307–429The Embassy to Achilles: Achilles' replyAchilles answers that he hates the man who says one thing and hides another in his heart, and that he will speak plainly. He says that Agamemnon has given nothing for all his toil, that the coward and the brave man die alike, and that no gifts will move him; he will sail for Phthia in the morning. His mother Thetis has told him of two fates, a long life without glory if he goes home, or glory and early death if he stays.
Homer, Homerica 6.73–85Contest of Homer and Hesiod: Homer's wanderings and deathAfter losing the victory Homer travels from place to place reciting his poems, among them the Thebais, the Epigoni, the Odyssey and the Iliad, and he is entertained at Athens by Medon. At Argos his verses on the Achaeans win him a bronze statue, and at Delos he recites the Hymn to Apollo. Some fishermen then pose him a riddle about their lice that he cannot solve, and he remembers the oracle and composes his own epitaph.
Homer, The Homeric Hymns 1.1–21Hymn 1 to Dionysus (fragment)Only a fragment of the first hymn to Dionysus survives. It rejects the places that claim to be his birthplace, among them Dracanum, Icarus, Naxos, the river Alpheus and Thebes, and says that Zeus bore him secretly, far from men and from white-armed Hera, on a mountain called Nysa. The surviving lines end with the promise of sacrifice in his honour.
Homer, Iliad 4.327–421Agamemnon rebukes Odysseus and DiomedesAgamemnon chides Menestheus and Odysseus for standing back, and Odysseus answers sharply, so that Agamemnon takes back his words. He then finds Diomedes by his horses and tells him that his father Tydeus was a better fighter. Diomedes is silent, but Sthenelus answers that they are better men than their fathers because they took Thebes.

Apollodorus (5)

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.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.4.6–12Amphitryon, Alcmene and the youth of HeraclesElectryon's sons are killed in a cattle raid by the Taphians, and Amphitryon accidentally kills Electryon and takes refuge at Thebes, where he wins the Teleboan war with the help of Cephalus's dog. Zeus lies with Alcmene in Amphitryon's likeness and she bears Heracles and Iphicles; the infant Heracles strangles the serpents Hera sends. Heracles is taught by several masters, kills the lion of Cithaeron after fathering children by Thespius's fifty daughters, and defeats the Minyans of Erginus. Hera then drives him mad and he kills his children, and the Pythia at Delphi names him Heracles and sends him to serve Eurystheus.
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.
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 1.8.1–6Oeneus, Meleager and the Calydonian boarOeneus of Calydon is the first to receive a vine from Dionysus, and the Fates declare that his son Meleager will die when the brand on the hearth is burnt out, so Althaea hides it. When Oeneus forgets Artemis in his sacrifices she sends a boar, and a company of heroes is gathered; Atalanta wounds it first and Meleager kills it and gives her the hide. He kills his mother's brothers, the sons of Thestius, who took it from her, and Althaea burns the brand; a second version has him fall in a war against the Curetes. The section ends with Oeneus's later marriage, Tydeus (father of Diomedes) and the revenge of Diomedes on the sons of Agrius.

Pindar (6)

Pindar, Isthmian Odes 1.1–68Isthmian 1: for Herodotus — Thebes, Castor and IolaüsPindar tells his native Thebes that her call outweighs his other tasks and praises Herodotus of Thebes, who drove his own chariot, comparing him to Castor and Iolaüs, the best of charioteers. He recalls Herodotus' father Asopodorus and the family's ties with Orchomenus, and calls on Poseidon, the sons of Amphitryon, the Minyae, Eleusis and Euboea, adding Protesilaus at Phylace. He ends by warning that a man who hoards wealth and oppresses others dies without glory.
Pindar, Isthmian Odes 3.1–4.72Isthmians 3-4: for Melissus — Ajax and Heracles against AntaeusIsthmian 3 praises Melissus of Thebes, victor in the chariot race, and says that the gods alone are free from change. Isthmian 4 praises his pancratium victory at the Isthmus, recalls Ajax who fell on his own sword at Troy, and tells how the Theban hero Heracles, small of stature but unflinching, went to the land of Antaeus in Libya to put a stop to his murders. It ends with the trainer Orseas, whose name Pindar joins with that of the victor.
Pindar, Pythian Odes 7.1–8.100Pythians 7-8: the Alcmaeonidae of Athens; Aristomenes and AlcmaeonPythian 7 praises Athens and the Alcmaeonidae, who built the temple at Delphi, for the chariot victory of Megacles, and says that prosperity brings envy. Pythian 8 is a hymn to Hesychia, goddess of peace, for Aristomenes of Aegina, wrestling victor, and recalls the giant Porphyrion, who did not know her power, and Alcmaeon at Thebes. It ends with the thought that man is the dream of a shadow and a prayer for Aegina and the Aeacidae.
Pindar, Pythian Odes 11.1–64Pythian 11: for Thrasydaeus — Orestes and AgamemnonPindar invites the daughters of Cadmus to honour Thrasydaeus of Thebes, victor in the boys' foot-race, and then tells how Orestes was rescued by his nurse after Clytaemnestra killed Agamemnon and Cassandra, how he reached Strophius, and how he later killed his mother and Aegisthus. He asks whether a wind has blown him off course, like a traveller at a fork in the road, and returns to the glory of Thrasydaeus and his father. The ode ends with a prayer to Iolaüs and to Castor and Polydeuces, who live alternately at Therapne and on Olympus.
Pindar, Nemean Odes 9.1–55Nemean 9: for Chromius — Adrastus and the SevenPindar leads the Muses from Sicyon to the new city of Aetna to praise Chromius, victor in the chariot race. He tells how Adrastus, who had fled Argos, founded contests for Apollo at Sicyon, and how Zeus swallowed Amphiaraüs and his chariot in the earth at Thebes. He ends by praising Chromius' courage in battle at the river Helorus and his wealth.
Pindar, Isthmian Odes 7.1–51Isthmian 7: for Strepsiades — the glories of ThebesPindar asks Thebe which of her ancient glories pleased her most: the birth of Dionysus, the begetting of Heracles, the counsels of Teiresias, the horseman Iolaüs, the dragon-brood, the return of Adrastus to Argos, or the colony of the Aegeidae at Amyclae. He says that old glory sleeps unless it is sung, and praises Strepsiades of Thebes, victor in the pancratium, and his uncle who died in the van of the Theban army. He ends with a prayer to Apollo for a crown from Pytho.

Aeschylus (3)

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 78–180Parodos: the Theban women in terrorThe Chorus of Theban women sing in terror of the sound of the approaching army, the clatter of the chariots and the dust, and call on the gods of the city for help. They pray to Athena, Poseidon, Ares, Aphrodite, Apollo, Artemis and Hera and beg them to save Thebes from capture and slavery.
Aeschylus, Seven against Thebes 288–368First stasimon: the Chorus fear the capture of ThebesThe Chorus sing that fear will not leave their hearts, and describe the horrors of a captured city, with the houses burned, women and girls dragged off, and the streets filled with blood and smoke. They end by calling on the gods to prevent the capture of Thebes.

Sophocles (19)

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.
Sophocles, Antigone 1115–1182Fifth stasimon: the hymn to Dionysus; the Messenger's newsThe Chorus call on the god of many names, Dionysus, the son of the Cadmeian bride, to come with purifying feet to the city of Thebes, which is held in the grip of a plague. A Messenger then comes to announce that the fortunes of Cadmus' house have changed for the worse, and that Haemon is dead, by his own hand.
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, Oedipus at Colonus 761–799Third episode (cont.): Oedipus answers CreonOedipus tells Creon that he is a man who will dare anything, and recalls that when Oedipus wished to be banished Creon would not help, and thrust him out only when his anger had passed. He says that Creon now wants to take him to the border of Thebes so that his city will escape evils from this land, but that he will get from Oedipus only his avenging spirit, and his sons only soil enough to die in. He says that he knows more of the fortunes of Thebes, from Apollo and Zeus, and tells Creon to go.
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, Women of Trachis 1143–1192Exodos (cont.): Heracles understands the oracle and swears Hyllus to obeyHeracles realises that he is lost, and tells Hyllus that his father Zeus had foretold that he would be killed by one already dead, and that the oak among the Selli foretold the end of his labours at this time. He asks Hyllus to bring his brothers and Alcmena, who are at Tiryns and Thebes, and to carry out his commands. Hyllus swears by Zeus to do his father's bidding, and Heracles asks whether he knows the summit of Oeta.
Sophocles, Antigone 724–780Third episode (cont.): the quarrel of father and sonThe Chorus urge both to listen, but the quarrel grows worse, and Haemon says that Antigone will not die at his side and that Creon will never see his face again before he storms out. Creon decides to spare Ismene, and to entomb Antigone alive in a rocky vault with only as much food as piety requires so that the city may escape defilement.
Sophocles, Antigone 883–943Creon's order and Antigone's last wordsCreon orders the guards to take Antigone away and entomb her, and to leave her alone to live or die. Antigone says farewell to the tomb, which she calls her bridal chamber, hopes to be welcome to her parents and her brothers, and asks what law of the gods she has broken, since she is judged irreverent for her reverence.
Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus 404–462First episode (cont.): Teiresias foretells Oedipus' fateThe Chorus urge both to calm down, and Teiresias answers that Oedipus does not know his parents or where he lives, and that the curse of both his parents will drive him from the land, blind where he now sees. When Oedipus tells him to go, Teiresias says that the murderer is here, a native of Thebes, who will be found to be brother and father of his own children, and son and husband of his own mother, and leaves.
Sophocles, Oedipus Tyrannus 1369–1415Exodos (cont.): Oedipus' speechOedipus tells the Chorus not to say that he has acted wrongly, and says that he could not have borne to look at his father in Hades or his mother, or at his children, or at Thebes. He cries out against Cithaeron, Polybus and the crossroads, and calls the marriage rites that gave him birth and then bore children to their child the worst of crimes. He begs the Chorus to hide him, kill him or cast him into the sea.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 421–460First episode (cont.): Oedipus' anger at his sonsOedipus prays that the gods will not quench the strife of his sons and that the issue of their battle may lie with him, so that neither will keep the throne. He says that they let him be driven out and wander as a beggar, and that his daughters have cared for him instead. He tells the Chorus that if they defend him he will be a great savior for Athens and a trouble for his enemies.
Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus 551–606Second episode (cont.): Theseus' kindness and Oedipus' requestTheseus says that, having himself been brought up in exile and danger, he would never turn away a stranger such as Oedipus. Oedipus answers that he has come to give his body as a gift, not for its looks but for its profit, which will become clear when he is dead and Theseus has buried him. He warns that his sons will try to carry him off to Thebes, because an oracle makes them fear his presence.

7 more passages of Sophocles that name Thebes

Euripides (29)

Euripides, Suppliants 87–161First episode: Theseus questions Adrastus about the expedition against ThebesTheseus hears the lamentation from the shrine and asks what it means. Aethra tells him that the mothers of the seven chiefs who fell at Thebes keep her prisoner with suppliant boughs. Theseus asks Adrastus, who is muffled in his cloak, to unveil his head and speak, and Adrastus tells how he led the expedition against Thebes, and Theseus says that he showed a preference for courage over discretion.
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 784–832Second choral song: the Chorus reproaches Ares and recalls the curse on ThebesThe Chorus asks Ares why he loves blood and war instead of the festivals of Bromius. They wish that Oedipus had died on Cithaeron and the Sphinx had never come. They recall the Sown Men, the wedding of Harmonia and the building of the walls to Amphion's lyre.
Euripides, Heracles 1–59Prologue: Amphitryon explains the plight of Heracles' familyAmphitryon, who shared a wife with Zeus and is the father of Heracles, tells how he came to Thebes, where Creon gave his daughter Megara to Heracles. He says that Heracles has gone to Hades to bring back the hound of hell, and that in his absence Lycus has killed Creon and seized power, and that he now threatens to kill Megara, her sons and Amphitryon, who sit as suppliants at the altar of Zeus the Saviour.
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, Bacchae 1–63Prologue: Dionysus arrives in ThebesDionysus, son of Zeus and Semele, says that he has come to the land of the Thebans in mortal form, after travelling through Asia. He says that the sisters of Semele claimed that she had told a false tale about her marriage and that Zeus killed her for it, so that he has driven them out of their wits to the mountains, and that he will show Pentheus and all the Thebans that he was born a god.
Euripides, Bacchae 434–508Second episode: Pentheus questions the captive strangerA servant brings in the stranger, who gave himself up without resistance, and reports that the imprisoned Bacchae were freed of their own accord. Pentheus questions the stranger, who says that he comes from Lydia and that Dionysus himself initiated him. The stranger will not describe the rites to the uninitiated, and Pentheus threatens to cut his hair and imprison him.
Euripides, Andromache 1–55Prologue: Andromache tells of her slavery at the shrine of ThetisAndromache, who has come from Thebes as the wife of Hector, recalls the fall of Troy and the death of her husband and tells how she became the slave of Neoptolemus and bore him a son. She says that his wife Hermione, who is childless, accuses her of using drugs and charms to make her barren, and that she has taken refuge at the shrine of Thetis while Neoptolemus is away at Delphi.
Euripides, Suppliants 1165–1234Exodos: Athena binds Argos to Athens by an oathTheseus tells Adrastus that he gives him these bones, and asks that Argos remember Athens' service, and Adrastus pledges eternal gratitude. Athena appears and tells Theseus that he should not give the bones back until the Argives have sworn an oath never to attack Athens, and tells him how the oath is to be sworn over a tripod of Heracles, and she foretells that the sons of the dead, the After-born, will avenge them and take Thebes.
Euripides, Heracles 170–237First episode: Amphitryon defends Heracles against LycusAmphitryon says that Zeus will defend his own share in his son, but that he will prove Lycus' ignorance. He says that Heracles is called a coward for fighting with the bow, and asks Lycus to go to Pholoe and ask the Centaurs who the bravest of men is. He argues that the man who fights in line is a slave to his weapons, while the archer harms the enemy and keeps safe himself, and he reproaches the land of Cadmus for failing to defend Heracles' children.
Euripides, Heracles 442–496Second episode: the family comes out dressed for deathThe Chorus sees the children of Heracles, dressed in the robes of the dead, coming out with their mother. Megara asks who is to sacrifice or butcher them, and tells the children that the victims are ready to be led to Hades' halls. She says that Heracles' name is now for nothing, and that she and the children are to die without the help of the one man who could have saved them, and Amphitryon calls on him to appear, even as a phantom.
Euripides, Heracles 750–821Third choral song: Lycus dies; Iris and Madness appearThe Chorus hears Lycus' cries from within the house, and rejoices that he is perishing by treachery, since he has himself made others perish. It sings that the justice of the gods and heavenly retribution are real, and of the honour of Heracles, and then sees two figures appear above the house, and cries out in fear.

17 more passages of Euripides that name Thebes

Aristophanes (2)

Aristophanes, The Acharnians 836–970Episode: the Boeotian's goods; Nicarchus the informer is packed upThe Chorus congratulate Dicaeopolis on his market, where no informer will trouble them, and a Boeotian arrives with pennyroyal, fowls and Copaic eels. Dicaeopolis takes an eel and, asked what he will give in exchange, offers the informer Nicarchus, packed like earthenware for export. A servant of Lamachus then asks for thrushes and an eel for the feast, and Dicaeopolis refuses him.
Aristophanes, Frogs 1014–1052Agon: the poets as teachers of menAeschylus says that the poets of old taught men: Orpheus gave them rites, Musaeus healing, Hesiod farming and Homer the art of war. He says that his own Seven against Thebes made men eager for battle, and contrasts his heroes with Euripides' Phaedras and Stheneboeas. Euripides asks whether his tale of Phaedra was untrue, and Aeschylus answers that such tales should be hidden from the stage.

Diodorus Siculus (3)

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.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.8.1–4.10.7Heracles: birth and early deedsThe historian begins with the difficulty of reporting Heracles' deeds worthily and with the claim that myth should not be scrutinised too sharply. He traces the hero's descent from Perseus and Zeus, tells how Hera delays the birth of Heracles so that Eurystheus is born first, and how Heracles as a baby strangles the two serpents she sends. As a young man he frees Thebes from the tribute owed to Erginus king of the Minyans, kills Erginus, burns the palace of the Minyans and razes the city of the Orchomenians, and marries Megara, daughter of Creon.
Diodorus Siculus, Library of History, Books 4 to 6 (the Greek myths) 4.54.1–4.56.8Jason and Medea at Corinth; the Argonauts' alleged return routeAfter ten years Jason takes Glauce, daughter of Creon, and Medea burns the palace and kills her children before escaping to Heracles at Thebes. The historian gives the later fortunes of Medea and her son Medus, remarks on the invented marvels of the tragic poets, and records the Argonauts' alleged return route by way of the Tanaïs and the ocean, with place-names in Italy and Libya that are said to prove it.

Ovid (5)

Ovid, Metamorphoses 3.511–583Pentheus and DionysusThe blind prophet Teiresias (Tiresias) tells Pentheus, the king of Thebes, to worship the new god Dionysus (Bacchus), and Pentheus scorns him. Pentheus orders his guards to arrest the stranger who has come to Thebes with the rites of the god, and the guards bring in a prisoner, one of the god's followers, who begins to tell his story.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 3.1–137Cadmus and the DragonZeus (Jupiter) reveals himself to Europa in Crete, and her father Agenor sends his son Cadmus to look for her and not to return without her. Cadmus consults the oracle of Apollo, which tells him to follow a heifer and to found a city where she lies down. He kills the dragon of Ares (Mars), which guards a spring, and sows its teeth on Athena's (Minerva's) advice, and armed men spring up from the furrows and fight until only five are left. These help him to build Thebes, and Cadmus prospers, though his story shows that no man can be called happy before his death.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 15.359–476Pythagoras: the phoenix, the rise and fall of citiesPythagoras describes the transformations of living things: the birth of bees from cattle, of frogs from mud, and of the phoenix, which renews itself from its own pyre. He tells of the changes of sex in the hyena, and of the chameleon and the lynx. Cities, too, rise and fall: Troy, Sparta, Mycenae and Thebes have lost their strength, and Rome is rising. He ends with a plea not to kill animals for food and not to trap them by deceit.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 4.563–662Cadmus and Harmonia; Perseus and AtlasCadmus and Harmonia, grieving at their misfortunes, go away from Thebes, and Cadmus, remembering the serpent he killed, is turned into a serpent, and Harmonia follows him. Perseus, flying over Libya with the head of Medusa, comes at nightfall to the kingdom of Atlas, who has been told that a son of Zeus (Jupiter) would steal his golden apples, and who refuses him shelter. Perseus holds up the head of Medusa, and Atlas is turned into the mountain that holds up the sky.
Ovid, Metamorphoses 6.146–312NiobeThe fate of Arachne spreads through Lydia, but Niobe, queen of Thebes, takes no warning, and rebukes the women who are honouring Leto (Latona), boasting of her own noble birth, her husband's power and her fourteen children. Leto, angered, calls on Apollo and Artemis (Diana), and Apollo kills Niobe's seven sons as they ride and wrestle, and Artemis her seven daughters in their mother's presence. Niobe, bereft of all, turns to stone, and is carried by a whirlwind to Mount Sipylus, where she weeps.

Pausanias (42)

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 9.7.1–6Thebes: restoration by Cassander and the decline under SullaPausanias tells how the Thebans, left homeless by Alexander, were restored by Cassander with the help of Athens, Messene and Megalopolis. He says Cassander did so out of hatred for Alexander's house, which he destroyed by killing Olympias and Alexander's sons, and that Cassander died of dropsy while his own sons came to violent ends. The whole old circuit of Thebes was rebuilt. After siding with Mithridates and then Rome, the Thebans lost half their territory to Sulla, who gave it to the gods, and the lower city was deserted so that only the acropolis was inhabited.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.23.1–7Thebes: the gymnasium of Iolaus and Pindar's tomb; Acraephnium and LarymnaPausanias describes the gymnasium and stadium of Iolaus at Thebes and the hippodrome with the tomb of Pindar, telling how bees fed the sleeping Pindar honey and how Proserpine appeared to him before his death. He goes on to Acraephnium and its sanctuary of Ptoan Apollo, whose oracle answered Mys in the Carian language, and to the coastal city of Larymna.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.9.1–13Sparta: Agesilaus’ expedition to Asia and the outbreak of the Corinthian warAgesilaus leads the allied army to Asia, but at Aulis the Thebans interrupt his sacrifice, and he defeats Tissaphernes near Sardes. The Persians send Timocrates to bribe Greek leaders and stir up war, a Locrian-Phocian quarrel draws in Thebes and Sparta, and Agesilaus is recalled. He marches back through Thrace and Thessaly, wins at Coronea, and respects the sanctuary of Itonian Athena.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.18.1–6Thebes: the road to Chalcis, the tombs of Melanippus, Tydeus, Oedipus' children, Tiresias and HectorPausanias follows the road from Thebes to Chalcis by the Proetidian gate, noting the grave of Melanippus and three unwrought stones said to mark Tydeus. He describes the tombs of the children of Oedipus, where the flame and smoke of the sacrifices are said to divide, and the cenotaph of Tiresias. At Thebes he also notes the grave of Hector, whose bones were brought from Ilium by an oracle, the fountain of Oedipus and the grave of Asphodicus.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.6.1–7Sicyon: Epopeus and Antiope, and the later kings of SicyonPausanias relates how Epopeus carried off Antiope, daughter of Nycteus, and how Lycus and Lamedon settled the quarrel, with Antiope giving birth to Zethus and Amphion at Eleutherae. He continues the Sicyonian kings, including Sicyon himself, Polybus and Adrastus, Phaestus, Zeuxippus, Hippolytus under Agamemnon and Lacestades, whose rule was shared with the Dorian Phalces.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 1.34.1–5Oropus and the sanctuary of AmphiarausPausanias describes Oropus, a Boeotian land long disputed with Athens, and the sanctuary of Amphiaraus twelve furlongs from it. He gives the legend of Amphiaraus’ disappearance into the earth at Harma, the divided altar with its many gods, the spring into which healed visitors throw coins, and the rites of purification and sleeping on a ram’s skin for dream oracles. He also remarks on Iophon’s oracles and on the nature of divination.
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 8.33.1–4Megalopolis: the ruin of great cities and the mutability of fortunePausanias notes that Megalopolis, founded with such enthusiasm, now lies mostly in ruins. He sets this against the fates of Mycenae, Nineveh, Thebes, Orchomenus, Delos and Babylon, which have declined, and of Alexandria and Seleucia on the Orontes, which have grown. He ends with the island of Chryse near Lemnos, where Philoctetes was bitten, which sank beneath the waves, and the island Hiera that appeared, as signs of how transient human affairs are.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.4.1–4Plataea: the temple of Athena Warlike and the road to ThebesPausanias describes the sanctuary of Athena Warlike at Plataea, built from the Marathon booty, with its gilded wooden image by Phidias and wall paintings by Polygnotus and Onasias, and the statue of Arimnestus at its foot. He notes the sanctuary of Eleusinian Demeter and the tomb of Leitus, the only Boeotian leader to return from Troy, and the Gargaphian fountain, which Mardonius filled in. On the road to Thebes he mentions the river Oeroe and the ruins of Scolus, with an unfinished temple of Demeter and the Maid.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.8.1–7Thebes: Potniae, the seven gates and CapaneusPausanias describes the ruins of Potniae, with a grove of Demeter and the Maid where sucking pigs are thrown into the megara, and the temple of Dionysus the Goat-shooter, whose rite replaced a human sacrifice with a goat. He notes the enclosure where the earth is said to have swallowed Amphiaraus. He lists the seven gates of Thebes, named Electran, Proetidian, Neistan, Crenaean, Hypsistan, Ogygian and Homoloidian, with the stories of their names, and the place where Capaneus was struck by lightning at the Electran gate.
Pausanias, Description of Greece 9.13.1–12Epaminondas: early life and the battle of LeuctraPausanias describes the education of Epaminondas, who studied under the Pythagorean Lysis, saved Pelopidas in battle and answered Agesilaus on the peace of Antalcidas. He narrates the battle of Leuctra: the portents for Cleombrotus, the story of the daughters of Scedasus violated by two Spartans, and the vote of the Boeotarchs. Epaminondas dismissed the doubtful Thespians, the Lacedaemonians' allies gave way, and Cleombrotus fell. Epaminondas had the allies bury their dead first to expose the Spartan losses, with forty-seven Boeotians killed against more than a thousand Lacedaemonians.

30 more passages of Pausanias that name Thebes

Nonnus of Panopolis (17)

Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 46.97–209Book 46: Pentheus in women's dress climbs the tree on CithaeronMaddened by Dionysos and Mene, Pentheus puts on Agaue's robe and veil and dances in the streets, seeing two suns and two Thebes. He goes out to Cithaeron and climbs a tree to spy on the Bacchants. They find him, Agaue uproots the tree, and Pentheus, his madness gone, falls to the ground and begs his mother in vain to spare him.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 5.0–121Book 5: Cadmos founds Thebes and its seven gatesCadmos sacrifices the cow to Athena, fights the neighbouring peoples and lays out the city of Thebes with seven gates named for the seven planets. Harmonia's wedding is celebrated with dances, music and the gods' attendance, and Zeus sits at the same table as Cadmos.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 25.0–79Book 25: The poet's invocation; Dionysos set beside PerseusThe poet invokes the Muse and Thebes, announcing that he will sing only the last year of the war, and says he will measure the valour of Dionysos against that of the sons of Zeus. He begins with Perseus, who beheaded the Gorgon and then fled, and contrasts him with Dionysos, who defeated whole armies and fought the river.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 44.80–183Book 44: Teiresias' sacrifice, the snakes of Cadmos, and Pentheus' defianceTeiresias tells Agaue to sacrifice to avert the dream, while privately knowing what it means. At the altar a serpent winds harmlessly about Cadmos and another about Harmonia, foretelling their transformation into stone snakes. All Thebes takes up the Bacchic dance, and Pentheus rages, vowing to kill Dionysos and denying that a mortal can be a god.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 47.496–593Book 47: An Argive taunts Dionysos; Hera arms PerseusAn Argive mocks Dionysos, setting Perseus the Gorgon-slayer against him and urging him to go back to Thebes. Hera, taking the shape of the seer Melampus, urges Perseus to defend Argos, and Argos's heroes muster. Dionysos arms his Bacchants and Satyrs and protects himself with a gem against the Gorgon's gaze.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 3.216–318Book 3: Dardanos and the flood; Cadmos tells his lineageAfter the third flood Dardanos reaches Ida, and Emathion receives Cadmos at a rich table with the music of Corybantic pipes. Questioned by Electra, Cadmos traces his descent from Io and Epaphos through Belos to his father Agenor, and tells how Europa was carried off by the bull and he was sent to find her.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 4.249–381Book 4: Cadmos at Delphi; the dragon of AresCadmos, who gave the Hellenes their letters, travels to Greece with Harmonia and consults the oracle at Delphi. The god tells him to give up the search for the bull and to found a city where a cow he follows lies down. At the spring of Dirce the serpent of Ares devours his companions.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 7.255–368Book 7: Zeus woos SemeleZeus, struck by Eros's arrow, goes back to heaven and calls on Helios to hasten the night. He crosses to Thebes in two bounds and comes to Semele in the shapes of a bull, a lion, a panther, a bridegroom and a snake. He tells her that she will bear a son who will make men forget their troubles, and that she will be called immortal.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 8.0–121Book 8: Semele's pregnancy; Ares threatens to leave heavenSemele grows heavy with child and is carried off by every strain of pipes and cymbals in the hills. Envy, jealous of the unborn Dionysos, stirs up Ares, who complains of Zeus's loves and says he will leave Olympos for Thrace. Hera, still angry, meets Deceit near Mount Dicte.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 25.380–480Book 25: The shield of Dionysos: the heavens, Thebes, Ganymede and TylosDionysos rejoins the Bacchants with the new shield, and the poet describes its scenes: earth, sea and the constellations, the building of Thebes to Amphion's lyre, and Ganymede carried off by the eagle. It also shows the Lydian story of Tylos, killed by a serpent on the bank of the Hermos.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 34.162–248Book 34: Morrheus takes Bassarids captive; Deriades' threats; a captive's deathMorrheus takes eleven Bassarids captive and gives them to Deriades, who accepts them but warns him against desire for a captive. Deriades says that after his victory he will invade Lydia, Phrygia and Thebes. Phlogios hangs, burns and drowns the captives, and one of them, sinking into a well, laments her double fate of earth and water.
Nonnus of Panopolis, Dionysiaca 45.0–95Book 45: Agaue runs to the mountain; Pentheus rebukes TeiresiasAutonoe and Agaue, maddened by Dionysos, rush to the hills to join the Bacchic dance, and Agaue swears she will defy Pentheus. The hills ring with the revels of Thebes' women. Pentheus meets the garlanded Teiresias and angrily accuses him of lying oracles and taking Lydian gold, arguing that Dionysos, with his horns and fawnskin, cannot be a son of Zeus.

5 more passages of Nonnus of Panopolis that name Thebes

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.

Thebes in the ancient sources

Hesiod (6)

Homer (4)

Apollodorus (5)

Pindar (6)

Aeschylus (3)

Sophocles (19)

Euripides (29)

Aristophanes (2)

Diodorus Siculus (3)

Ovid (5)

Pausanias (42)

Nonnus of Panopolis (17)

Epic Cycle (1)