1. Greek Mythology: lecture 5 The Theban Cycle: part 2

2. The curse takes effect Eteocles & Polynices agree, then disagree on a settlement: Eteocles & Polynices agree, then disagree on a settlement: Divide inheritance between property & kingship (Stesichorus) Divide inheritance between property & kingship (Stesichorus) Agree to take turns ruling; Eteocles reneges on promise (Eur. Phoen., hinted in Supp., Soph. OC) Agree to take turns ruling; Eteocles reneges on promise (Eur. Phoen., hinted in Supp., Soph. OC) Eteocles expelled Polynices (Soph. OC) Eteocles expelled Polynices (Soph. OC)

3. The lion & the boar P comes to Argos & gets into fight with Tydeus. P comes to Argos & gets into fight with Tydeus. Oracle told Adrastus to marry daughters to ‘the lion & the boar’. Oracle told Adrastus to marry daughters to ‘the lion & the boar’. Promises to restore birthright of sons-in- law – P first. Promises to restore birthright of sons-in- law – P first. Amphiaraus foresees disaster – Polynices bribes Eriphyle with necklace of Harmonia to support expedition. Amphiaraus foresees disaster – Polynices bribes Eriphyle with necklace of Harmonia to support expedition.

4. The Seven against Thebes Number made canonical by Aeschylus (identities vary): Number made canonical by Aeschylus (identities vary): Tydeus, son of Oineus of Calydon. Tydeus, son of Oineus of Calydon. Capaneus, son of Hipponous of Argos. Capaneus, son of Hipponous of Argos. Eteoclus, son of Iphis of Argos (Capaneus’ brother-in- law). Eteoclus, son of Iphis of Argos (Capaneus’ brother-in- law). Hippomedon, brother/nephew of Adrastus of Argos. Hippomedon, brother/nephew of Adrastus of Argos. Parthenopaeus, son of Atalanta from Arcadia. Parthenopaeus, son of Atalanta from Arcadia. Amphiaraus the seer, brother-in-law of Adrastus of Argos. Amphiaraus the seer, brother-in-law of Adrastus of Argos. Polynices, son of Oedipus of Thebes. Polynices, son of Oedipus of Thebes. (Adrastus, king of Argos) (Adrastus, king of Argos)

5. Battle & aftermath Sacrifice of Menoeceus (Eur. Phoen.) Sacrifice of Menoeceus (Eur. Phoen.) Eteocles & Polynices kill each other Eteocles & Polynices kill each other Capaneus struck by lightning, Amphiaraus swallowed by earth, Adrastus escapes Capaneus struck by lightning, Amphiaraus swallowed by earth, Adrastus escapes Other bodies left unburied; retrieved by Theseus (Eur. Supp.) Other bodies left unburied; retrieved by Theseus (Eur. Supp.) Antigone determines to bury Polynices Antigone determines to bury Polynices And is entombed alive (Soph. Ant.) And is entombed alive (Soph. Ant.) And goes into exile with Oedipus (Eur. Phoen.) And goes into exile with Oedipus (Eur. Phoen.)

6. The sons of the Seven The Epigonoi: The Epigonoi: Diomedes, son of Tydeus Diomedes, son of Tydeus Sthenelus, son of Capaneus Sthenelus, son of Capaneus Polydorus, son of Hippomedon (cf. Pausanias) Polydorus, son of Hippomedon (cf. Pausanias) Promachus, son of Parthenopaeus Promachus, son of Parthenopaeus Alcmaeon and Amphilochus, sons of Amphiaraus Alcmaeon and Amphilochus, sons of Amphiaraus Thersander, son of Polynices Thersander, son of Polynices Aegialeus, son of Adrastus Aegialeus, son of Adrastus Euryalus, son of Mecisteus (cf. Apollodorus) Euryalus, son of Mecisteus (cf. Apollodorus)

7. Male & female Visible in Bacchae: Pentheus’ relationship with Maenads; gender ambiguity. Visible in Bacchae: Pentheus’ relationship with Maenads; gender ambiguity. Proper conduct of marriage relations: Oedipus; also see Suppliants. Reproduction within closed circuit vs. extreme exogamy. Proper conduct of marriage relations: Oedipus; also see Suppliants. Reproduction within closed circuit vs. extreme exogamy. Balance of power: Eriphyle & Amphiaraus, Antigone & Creon. Balance of power: Eriphyle & Amphiaraus, Antigone & Creon.

8. Public & private Male & female can be mapped onto wider framework of state vs. family. Male & female can be mapped onto wider framework of state vs. family. Sphinx episode: brings affairs of home into public realm, continues with Theban plague. Sphinx episode: brings affairs of home into public realm, continues with Theban plague. Eteocles & Polynices: needs of polis vs. rights of patrimony. Eteocles & Polynices: needs of polis vs. rights of patrimony. Antigone: edict of state vs. right/duty towards dead. Antigone: edict of state vs. right/duty towards dead.

9. Divine & human law Who is ‘right’ and is ‘right’ an absolute category? Who is ‘right’ and is ‘right’ an absolute category? From Bacchae to Antigone, ambivalence between divine command & human law/order. From Bacchae to Antigone, ambivalence between divine command & human law/order. How would audience have viewed situation/perceived ‘meaning’? How would audience have viewed situation/perceived ‘meaning’?