Chapter 18: THE ROYAL HOUSE OF THEBES Sub-topic: * Cadmus and His Children * Oedipus * Antigone *Seven Against Thebes

1. THE ROYAL HOUSE
OF THEBES
Presented by:
Leizyl L. Crispo BSED-III

2. Cadmus and His Children
APOLLODORUS
Apollodorus of Athens, son of Asclepiades, was
a Greek scholar, historian and grammarian. He was a
pupil of Diogenes of Babylon, Panaetius the Stoic, and
the grammarian Aristarchus of Samothrace. He left
perhaps fled Alexandria around 146 BC, most likely
for Pergamon, and eventually settled in Athens.

3. Characters:
Cadmus – Europa’s brother
Harmonia – Cadmus’ wife,
daughter of Ares and Aphrodite.
Semele – Dionysus’ mother
Ino/Leucothea – the wicked
stepmother of Prixus.
Agave – most wretch of all mother.
Autonoe – less wretch than Agave.
Actaeon – Autonoe’s son, a great
hunter.

4. Settings:
Delphi Boeotia
Thebes Illyria

5. Plot:
• Europa’s brother were sent to search for her.
• Cadmus went to Apollo’s oracle at Delphi.
• Apollo told Cadmus to found his own city.
• Founding Thebes did not come without its
challenges.
• Cadmus married Harmonia.
• Cadmus and Harmonia had 4 daughters and 1
son.
• Cadmus and Harmonia were turned into
• serpents.

6. Conflict: Man vs. Man
Theme: Suffering was not a punishment
for wrongdoing, the innocent suffered
as much as the guilty.
Lesson Learned: Take courage to fight
for what is right.
Reference: Edith Hamilton Mythology
Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes

7. Oedipus
SOPHOCLES
Sophocles is one of three ancient Greek
tragedians whose plays have survived. His
first plays were written later than those of
Aeschylus, and earlier than or contemporary
with those of Euripides.

8. Characters:
King Laius – the third in descent from Cadmus.
Jocasta – King Laius wife
Apollo – God of Truth
Oedipus – a man of great courage and great
intelligence.
Creon – Jocasta’s brother
Tereisias – the old blind prophet

9. Settings:
Delphi Thebes

10. Plot:
• The oracle told Laius a prophecy.
• Laius tried to prevent fate.
• Laius was killed several years later.
• The details of Laius’ murder were
not investigated because of the Sphinx.
• The Sphinx had caused Thebes to grow
close to famine.
• The reign of Oedipus.
• Jocasta killed herself and Oedipus blinded
himself.

11. Conflict: Man vs. Man
Theme: The willingness to ignore the truth.
Fate can’t be change no matter how one acts.
Lesson Learned: Accept the truth and live life
as it is. Correct mistakes if you can.
Reference: Edith Hamilton Mythology
Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes

12. Antigone
SOPHOCLES
Sophocles is one of three ancient Greek
tragedians whose plays have survived. His first
plays were written later than those of
Aeschylus, and earlier than or contemporary
with those of Euripides.

13. Characters:
Oedipus – a man of great courage and great
intelligence.
Polyneices – Oedipus’ elder son
Eteocles – Oedipus’ younger son
Antigone and Ismene – Oedipus’ daughters
Creon – Jocasta’s brother
Adrastus – King of Argos
Amphiaraus – Adrastus’ brother-in-law

14. Settings:
Thebes, Argos, Colonus near Athens

15. Plot:
• The Thebans decided to expel Oedipus.
• After Oedipus left, his two sons fought for
their right to the throne.
• Polyneices attacks Thebes.
• Polyneices and Eteocles killed each other.
• Creon became King
• Antigone’s died of breaking Creon’s law.

16. Conflict: Man vs. Man
Theme: The power of unwritten law.
Defending the country is a
sign of heroism and bravery.
Lesson Learned: The value of bravery
and sacrifices.
Reference: Edith Hamilton Mythology
Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes

17. The Seven Against Thebes
Euripides was a tragedian of classical Athens.
Along with Aeschylus and Sophocles, he is one
of the three ancient Greek tragedians for
whom a significant number of plays have
survived.

18. Characters:
Adrastus – King of Argos
Theseus – King of Athens
Aethra – Theseus’ mother
Evadne – Capaneus’ wife
Settings:
Athens Thebes

19. Plot:
• Adrastus asked for help from Theseus.
• Theseus came to Thebes to reclaim the dead.
• The 5 dead men were burned on a pyre.
• Their sons vowed to take vengeance upon
Thebes when they were grown.
• Ten years later, they marched to Thebes and
were victorious.
• The Thebans fled and their city was destroyed.

20. Conflict: Man vs. Society
Theme: Forgiveness and atonement over
revenge and punishment.
The limits of free will.
Lesson Learned: The value of forgiveness
rather than vengeance.
Reference: Edith Hamilton Mythology
Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes