Chapter XIV: Legends of Thebes

Abundant legends of Thêbes.—Amphiôn and Zethus, Homeric founders
of Kadmus and Bœôtus—both distinct legends.—Thêbes.—How Thêbes
was founded by Kadmus.—Five primitive families at Thêbes called
Sparti.—The four daughters of Kadmus: 1. Inô; 2. Semelê; 3.
Autonoê and her son Actæôn; 4. Agavê and her son Pentheus.—He
resists the god Dionysus—his miserable end.—Labdakus, Antiopê,
Amphiôn, and Zêthus.—Laius—Œdipus—Legendary celebrity of Œdipus
and his family.—The Sphinx.—Eteoklês and Polynikês.—Old epic
poems on the sieges of Thêbes. 256-269

SIEGES OF THEBES.

Curse pronounced by the devoted Oedipus upon his sons.—Novelties
introduced by Sophoklês.—Death of Oedipus—quarrel of Eteoklês and
Polynikês for the sceptre.—Polynikês retires to Argos—aid given
to him by Adrastus.—Amphiaräus and Eriphylê.—Seven chiefs of the
army against Thêbes.—Defeat of the Thêbans in the field—heroic
devotion of Menœkus.—Single combat of Eteoklês and Polynikês,
in which both perish.—Repulse and destruction of the Argeian
chiefs—all except Adrastus—Amphiaräus is swallowed up in the
earth.—Kreôn, king of Thêbes, forbids the burial of Polynikês
and the other fallen Argeian chiefs.—Devotion and death of
Antigonê.—The Athenians interfere to procure the interment of
the fallen chiefs.—Second siege of Thêbes by Adrastus with
the Epigoni, or sons of those slain in the first.—Victory
of the Epigoni—capture of Thêbes.—Worship of Adrastus at
Sikyôn—how abrogated by Kleisthenês.—Alkmæôn—his matricide and
punishment.—Fatal necklace of Eriphylê. 269-284