Eteocles

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
This article is about the son of Oedipus. For the other mythological figure of the same name, see
Eteocles (son of Andreus)
.
Eteocles and Polynices, by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, from the Ca' Dolfin Tiepolos.
Eteocles and Polynices, copy of mural in François Tomb from Vulci made in 4th century BC

In

Creon
.

Etymology

The name translates as "truly glorious", from ἐτεός (eteós, “true”) + -κλῆς (-klês < kleos “glory”).

Tawagalawas is thought to be the Hittite rendition of the Greek name.[3]

Oedipus's curse

In the

haunch of a sacrificed animal, rather than the shoulder, which he deserved. Enraged, Oedipus prayed to Zeus that the brothers would die by each other's hands.[5] However, in Sophocles's Oedipus at Colonus, Oedipus desired to stay in Thebes but was expelled by Creon. His sons argued over the throne, but Eteocles gained the support of the Thebans and expelled Polynices, who went to Oedipus to ask for his blessing to retake the city, but instead was cursed to die by his brother's hand.[6]

Quarrel over Thebes

There are several accounts of how Eteocles and Polynices shared the rule after Oedipus's departure from the city. In

Diodorus state that the brothers agree to divide the kingship between them, switching each year. Eteocles, however, was allotted the first year, and refused to surrender the crown.[7]

In all of these versions, Polynices gathered the support of the

Seven Against Thebes. Although Eteocles's forces were victorious, the brothers killed each other.[1]

Popular culture

  • Eteocles appears in the 1959 film Hercules Unchained, portrayed by Italian actor Sergio Fantoni. The film portrays Eteocles as one of three villains (including his brother Polynices and the film's femme fatale Queen Omphale) whose sadistic nature is demonstrated by his private arena filled with tigers fed human prisoners of war. His madness is also demonstrated by his public execution of Theban prisoners whom he orders thrown from atop the city's main gate as a warning against his brother's opposition. The film follows only the mythology of Eteocles' relation to his father and brother, including his eventual death at the hands of Polynices. The film however, omits any acknowledgement of Creon being the uncle of Eteocles.
  • Eteocles appears in
    ancient Greek tragedy The Phoenician Women of Euripides.[8][9][10]

Genealogy


See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Eteocles" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 9 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 806.
  2. ^ Robin Hard. The Routledge Handbook of Greek Mythology (2004)
  3. ^ Hoffner, p. 297.
  4. ^ Gantz, p. 502.
  5. ^ Gantz, p. 503.
  6. ^ Sophocles. Oedipus at Colonus, lines 1350–1395.
  7. ^ Apollodorus, 3.6.1
  8. ^ "Hojang Taret - Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards". Hojang Taret - Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  9. ^ "WHAT TO EXPECT FROM 10 META PLAYS? - Art Culture Festival". 2018-03-21. Retrieved 2023-08-24.
  10. ^ "Hojang Taret- A Greek Tragedy brought to Life - Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards". Hojang Taret- A Greek Tragedy brought to Life - Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards. Retrieved 2023-08-24.

References

Regnal titles
Preceded by
Creon
Thebes
 		Succeeded by
Creon
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