Theban Cycle I

  Ancient Greece and ancient Greek culture has a lot of myths. In my opinion, the one of the most stunning of these myths is "Theban Cycle". Theban Cycle defines that a family's 3 generations of curse. This myth's the most renown sample shows itself in Sophokles's theater plays named King Oedipus, Antigone and Oedipus in Kronos. Theban Cycle spreaded other cultures and has been subject to the Etruscian mythology which we can learn from ancient coins. Before talking about Sophokles's works, i want to light up how come Theban Cycle started and transferred by the generations.

  King Laius

  There are some people who base Theban Cycle upon more ancient times. But in Sophokles' works, we see that cycle get starts with King Laius of Thebes. Therefore, i'll write about him and his lineage.

 King Laius was the King of Thebes, husband of Jocasta and father of Oedipus. When he was a child his father's throne was usurped by twin brothers Amphion and Zethus. After this incident, some loyal people of Thebes protected him from death and sent to court of King Pelops, King of the Pisa(not the modern day Italian city). King Pelops hospitaled Laius for years. One day, Laius committed a huge sin. He abducted King Pelop's son Chrissippus and raped him. After that Laius took him to Thebes with his own.
 Meanwhile, Amphion and Zethus died. Laius ascended throne with ease. By the time he married to Jocasta. According to the myth, he learnt a prophecy from Oracle of Delphi which says if he has a son, his son would kill Laius and marry to his own mother Jacoste. Laius didn't make child with Jocasta until the night he get drunk too much and impregnated his wife. After this pregnancy, Oedipus would be born.

  The most important thing here is Laius's rape to his host's son and have a child with his wife despite the prophecy. First one was illegal to the laws of hospitality; second one was an act against prophecy. Many people think those incidents caused to Thebai Cycle.

   King Oedipus

  Oedipus, son of Jocasta and Laius. When he was born King Laius wanted to get rid of him. Therefore, Laius pierced baby's ankles and gave him to a shepherd. Shepherd's mission was easy; leaving baby to die in mountains. Mission was easy but shepherd couldn't do that. Instead of leaving baby, he gave him to King Polybus of Corinth. Polybus and his wife Merope was childless and had a huge desire of having baby. The couple raised Oedipus as their own son. He grew up in court of Corinth.

  One day, Oedipus is told by someone that Polybus and Merobe weren't his real parent. Oedipus tried to investigate this matter and went to the Oracle of Delphi. He was told here that he would kill his own father and marry with own mother. Oedipus terrified with these prophecy. Decided to not turning back to the Corinth. Instead of this, he decided to go to Thebes.

  On the way of Thebes, he encountered with a group. They started a quarrel about who had the right of way. After this quarrel, Oedipus killed all of the group including group leader. Leader of this group was King Laius, biological father of Oedipus. He killed his own father with not knowing the truth. By this event, prophecy of Laius's first part became true. His own son killed Laius.

  Oedipus's Entrance to Thebes

 When Oedipus has arrived to Thebes, the city had a big trouble named Sphenx. Sphenx was a monster which plagued Thebes and destroyed it's crops. It was killing people who didn't answer correctly to monster's questions. In the hour of need, Oedipus arrived to Thebes. He answered monster's questions correctly and saved the city. After that event, people of Thebes decided to declare Oedipus as King of Thebes and marry him with widow queen Jocasta. The curse of Gods was coming closer.

  Oedipus ruled Thebes for years within peace, harmony and plenty. But after these years, drough and pestilence started in Thebes. Oedipus wondered why this is happening. He asked prophecy to Oracle of Delphi. He was told that's all because the killer of Laius had not been taking to justice. Oedipus heard that and tried to find out Laius's killer. He asked a prophet named Treisias about this matter. Treisias told him that Oedipus is the killer of Laius. Also he doesn't know his real parents. Oedipus angered to Treisias but doubt has sow itself into Oedipus's heart. After following some events, Oedipus find Sheperherd that worked for Jocasta and Laius. He learnt about his own identity and parents. The curse of gods were true. Oedipus was married to his own mother and had 4 children from her. He was a kinslayer.

 Oedipus couldn't take these. He blinded his eyes and left Thebes. Jocasta committed suicide. In another  play in Sophokles, Oedipus appeared in Kronos after some years.


  This text will be so long for one-breath reading. Just because of it, i've decided to split this up to 2 parts. Second part will be about children of Oedipus mostly. Thanks for reading.