The Theban Cycle

(i) Using a map, show the relative location of Thebes, Athens and Argos

(ii) Legend

• Laius married Jocasta and lived in Thebes
• Oracle said his child would kill him
• Put nails in feet of child and sent him to the mountains
• A shepherd found the child, called him Oedipus, and took him to King Polybus in Corinth
• Meanwhile Oedipus went to the Oracle and he was told that he would kill his father and marry his mother. He decided to leave Corinth for Thebes
• Laius also decided to go to the Oracle to get advice on the riddle of the Sphinx. He met Oedipus and Laius was killed in an angry exchange
• Oedipus continued to Thebes. He married Jocasta, who was in reality his mother and they had four children
• Polybus of Corinth died and the truth was revealed
• Jocasta killed herself
• Oedipus made himself blind
• Oedipus was banished from Thebes by Creon
• He went to Colonus near Athens and was welcomed by Theseus
• Later Polyneices and Eteocles became co-kings of Thebes
• They quarrelled and Polyneices was driven out by his brother
• Polyneices came back with six others to attack Thebes - The Seven against Thebes
• The two brothers fought and killed each other
• Creon said Eteocles could be given a burial but Polyneices could not be buried
• Antigone built a pyre and buried Polyneices
• Creon said she had to be buried alive in the tomb also because of her disobedience
• But Haemon, son of Creon, married her and sent her out to a shepherd
• She had a son who returned to Thebes but Creon recognised him because of a serpent mark on his body and condemned him to death
• Antigone and Haemon killed themselves

(iii) Main Points

Theban Cycle

• Oedipus at Thebes (King Oedipus)
• Oedipus at Colonus (banished)
• The Seven Against Thebes
• Antigone
• Name - Oedipus - swollen foot
• Son of Laius and Jocasta
• Children - Antigone, Ismene, Polyneices, Eteocles
• Solved riddle of Sphinx
• Killed his father and married his mother

(iv) Primary Sources

• Aeschylus - The Seven against Thebes
• Sophocles - The Theban Plays
• Euripides - The Suppliants
• Statius - The Thebaid

(v) Influence on European Culture

(vi) Suggested Activities for Students

• Riddle of Sphinx - What has four legs in the morning, two legs at noon and three legs in the evening?
• Discussion on the role of the Gods and the Oracle
• Discussion on Greek burial customs - pyre and importance of burial
• The River Styx and the Underworld

(vii) Related Topics

• Distinguish between Tragedy and Comedy
• The four main playwrights of Athens:
  • Aeschylus
  • Sophocles
  • Euripides
  • Aristophanes
• Two main parts in a play
  1. Scenes
  2. Chorus
• The Greek Theatre
  • Shape
  • Seating Arrangements
  • Acoustics - masks
  • Buskins
  • Machines
    • Crane - Gods
    • Revolving stage
• The Oracle