Seven against Thebes - by Aeschylus

This is the story of the two sons of Oedipus, Eteocles and Polynices, who battled for the kingdom of the seven-gated Thebes.

Eteocles and Polynices - both men lie dead, each murdered by the other

This drama, written in 467 BC, is the chronological continuance of the famous tragedy Oedipus King / Rex. After the incestuous birth of Eteocles, Polynices, Antigone and Ismene followed by the discovery of Oedipus' true story (recall that he had unintentionally killed his father Laius and married his mother Jocasta), Jocasta hangs herself and Oedipus leaves Thebes to die in exile.

(...) "No mother more unfortunate than she who bore these boys, oh, none more doomed among all women, so many as are mothers on this earth " (...)

Before departing, Oedipus instructs his two sons Eteocles and Polynices to co-rule the city, leading alternately year by year. However, after the first 365 days of reign had passed, Eteocles refuses to give up his power and Polynices joins the Argives to reclaim his throne by force.

Great warriors from both sides face each other in single combat, and the Seven Gates that surround the city of Thebes become the perfect setting of each battle. Eteocles and Polynices engage in the final crusade; two brothers fated to death by the curse of their own family. They are both killed by the hands of the other; the Eumenides (also known as Furies or Erinyes - deities of vengeance) have succeeded in their duties.

(...) "Both men lie dead, each murdered by the other" (...)

(...) "Their destinies identical, the fate of one that of the other; in one stroke oblivion enveloped their doomed clan" (...)

Now Eteocles is given a king-like burial, while his brother's body is left to the crows.

(...) "this body here, Eteocles, for his great dedication to the State (...) has died as a youthful patriot ought to die, repelling enemies of his native place".

(...) "As for this, the corpse of Polynices, (...) if a certain god had not stepped in to guide his brother's spear - would have overturned the city and laid waste our Cadmean realm: he shall be cast beyond the gates, unburied, a meal for dogs".

The story opens the door to Sophocles' tragedy "Antigone"; it ends where the latter starts.

Antigone: "(...) Regardless of consequences I will take the risk of opposing the authorities and bury my brother" (...)

Now picture the final moment of the play: Ismene carrying her brother Eteocles with the people of the city, and Antigone on his own, carrying the lifeless body of Polynices.

JMD: Another excellent piece of work from Aeschylus ... what else can I tell you ??