After the exile of Oedipus, his sons Eteocles and Polynices agreed to rule Thebes in alternating years. However, when the first year ended, Eteocles refused to surrender the throne. Enraged, Polynices fled to Argos, where he raised an army led by seven champions to reclaim his birthright. Each hero was assigned to attack one of the seven gates of Thebes. Despite the warnings of the seer Amphiaraus, who foresaw their doom, the Seven attacked with ferocity. The siege was brutal, and the city’s defenders fought with equal desperation. Ultimately, the conflict culminated in a tragic duel between the two brothers, who struck each other down simultaneously. Of the seven attackers, only King Adrastus escaped with his life, leaving Thebes scarred by fratricide and the hubris of its fallen princes.
Ambition fueled by vengeance often leads to mutual destruction and the ruin of those involved.
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Questions about this story
What is the moral of The Seven Against Thebes?
The story warns that greed for power and familial betrayal lead to inevitable tragedy. It highlights how the cycle of vengeance can destroy an entire lineage and endanger an entire city.
Who were the seven leaders in the myth?
The primary leaders included Polynices, Adrastus, Amphiaraus, Tydeus, Capaneus, Parthenopaeus, and Hippomedon. They were gathered from Argos and surrounding regions to help Polynices reclaim his throne.
Why did the two brothers kill each other?
Eteocles and Polynices were cursed by their father, Oedipus, to divide their inheritance by the sword. Their mutual pride and refusal to share power led them to a final duel where both died.
Which of the Seven Against Thebes survived?
King Adrastus of Argos was the only one of the seven champions to survive the battle. He escaped on his divine winged horse, Arion, while the others perished during the failed siege.
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