LAIUS IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY
Laius was a legendary king of Greek mythology. The ruler of the city of Thebes, Laius would become father to a single son, a son who would become known as Oedipus, a son who caused the downfall of Laius.
Laius Son of Labdacus
Laius was a son of Labdacus, grandson of Polydorus, and great-grandson of Cadmus, and thus born into the ruling family of Cadmea, as the city of Thebes was then known.
Laius in Exile
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Laius was but a child when his father Labdacus died, and Nycteus and Lycus ruled as regents in his stead.
Lycus’ rule would come to an end, not when Laius was of age, but ended when Amphion and Zethus came to Cadmea. Their mother, Antiope, a daughter of Nycteus, had been mistreated by Lycus and his wife Drice, and so Amphion and Zethus killed Dirce, and perhaps also Lycus, although some say that Lycus was sent into exile. |
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Now Laius should have assumed the throne of Cadmea, but his position was usurped by Amphion and Zethus, who co-ruled Cadmea, and renamed the city Thebes.
Laius and Chrysippus
Laius would be sent into exile, and found welcome in the Peloponnesus, and the royal court of King Pelops.
It was said that Laius would then fall in love with the illegitimate son of Pelops, Chrysippus.
Some tell of how Laius would abduct Chrysippus, but when caught by Atreus and Theyestes, the sons of Pelops, Laius was not punished by King Pelops, for Pelops recognised that Laius had acted out of love.
Others tell of how Laius was framed for the death of Chrysippus, by the wife of Pelops, Hippodamia. Hippodamia feared that Chrysippus would succeed Pelops to the throne rather than one of her sons, and so stabbed the illegitimate son of her husband, using a sword owned by Laius. The stab wound die not cause immediate death, and Chrysippus was able to exonerate Laius before he died.
It was said that Laius would then fall in love with the illegitimate son of Pelops, Chrysippus.
Some tell of how Laius would abduct Chrysippus, but when caught by Atreus and Theyestes, the sons of Pelops, Laius was not punished by King Pelops, for Pelops recognised that Laius had acted out of love.
Others tell of how Laius was framed for the death of Chrysippus, by the wife of Pelops, Hippodamia. Hippodamia feared that Chrysippus would succeed Pelops to the throne rather than one of her sons, and so stabbed the illegitimate son of her husband, using a sword owned by Laius. The stab wound die not cause immediate death, and Chrysippus was able to exonerate Laius before he died.
Laius King of Thebes
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The rule of Amphion and Zethus in Thebes was relatively short, for Zethus committed suicide when his wife killed their son, and Amphion perished when his wife, Niobe, angered the gods Apollo and Artemis. Thus, Laius was recalled to his home, and ascended to the throne, as was his birth right.
In Thebes, Laius would find a wife of suitable rank, in the form of Jocasta, the daughter of Menoceus, but, a short time after the marriage occurred, Laius was told of a prophecy which said that the son of Laius would kill his own father. |
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Now for a while, Laius abstained from having marital relations with his wife, but under the influence of wine, this policy of abstention waned; and Laius would sleep with Jocasta.
Inevitably, Jocasta became pregnant, and after the allotted time gave birth to a baby boy.
Inevitably, Jocasta became pregnant, and after the allotted time gave birth to a baby boy.
The Son of Laius Exposed
Fearing the words of the prophecy, Lauis decides to expose his new-born son, and after piercing the ankles of the boy with spikes, gives the boy to one of his herdsmen, with orders that the boy should be left upon Mount Cithaeron.
Now as was the way in Greek mythology, the baby did not die, but was either given to, or was found, by a herdsman employed by King Polybus of Corinth, who took the boy back to his master. Polybus and his wife, Periboea, were childless, and Periboea cared for the child as if it was her own, and because of his damaged feet, the king and queen called “their” new son Oedipus.
Now as was the way in Greek mythology, the baby did not die, but was either given to, or was found, by a herdsman employed by King Polybus of Corinth, who took the boy back to his master. Polybus and his wife, Periboea, were childless, and Periboea cared for the child as if it was her own, and because of his damaged feet, the king and queen called “their” new son Oedipus.
Laius and Oedipus Meet
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Years passed, and Laius successfully ruled Thebes, whilst his son Oedipus grew up oblivious to his true parentage in Corinth.
Fate though, was working against Laius and Oedipus. Laius was now advised that his death was near to hand and so the King of Thebes decided to go to the Oracle at Delphi to get more detail, for he still believed that his son had died upon Mount Cithaeron. Meanwhile, Oedipus had been to Delphi, and had been told that he was destined to kill his father and sleep with his mother, and believing that this prophecy related to King Polybus and Queen Periboea, Oedipus decided that he would never return to Corinth. The paths of Laius and Oedipus would inevitable cross, for travelling in opposite directions, the chariot of Laius came face to face with that of Oedipus at the narrow pass that was the Cleft Way. The road was too narrow to pass side-by-side, and so the herald of Laius, Polyphontes, demanded that Oedipus yield. Oedipus had not grown up to be intimidated by such demands but when Polyphontes killed one of Oedipus’ horses, the anger inside Oedipus explored. Oedipus would kill Polyphontes, and then he pulled Laius from his chariot, and killed him also. |
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Oedipus travelled onwards not knowing how he had killed, and Laius died, not knowing who had killed him, but prophecies were coming to pass, for Laius had indeed died at the hands of his son.
Some tell of Laius being buried at the point where he fell upon the Cleft Way, for the body was said to have been discovered by King Damasistratus of Plataea, and so news of King Laius’ death would eventually reach Thebes, but with no word of who had killed him; with the truth only finally emerging years later, during the reign of Oedipus.
Some tell of Laius being buried at the point where he fell upon the Cleft Way, for the body was said to have been discovered by King Damasistratus of Plataea, and so news of King Laius’ death would eventually reach Thebes, but with no word of who had killed him; with the truth only finally emerging years later, during the reign of Oedipus.
The Death of King Laius - Unknown (17th or 18th century) - PD-art-100
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Colin Quartermain - Laius - 24th February 2018