POLYDORUS OF THEBES IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY

In Greek mythology, Polydorus was the son of the famous Cadmus, and a King of Cadmea, the Greek city state that would later be known as Thebes.

Polydorus Son of Cadmus

​Polydorus was the only son of Cadmus and Harmonia, and thus brother to Agave, Autonoe, Ino and Semele. Polydorus was by far the youngest of all of the children of Cadmus. 

The throne of Thebes would become vacant, either when Cadmus left his city, or when the founding hero died. Polydorus though, was considered too young to rule. As a result the new king of Thebes was Pentheus, Cadmus’ grandson by Agave and Echion.

Polydorus King of Thebes

​Pentheus’ rule of Thebes was most noted for his failure to recognise the divinity of Dionysus, his own cousin. Pentheus’ rule, and life, came to an end when he was ripped to pieces by the followers of Dionysus. 

Afterwards, Polydorus became King of Thebes. 

It was in the time of Polydorus that Nycteus and Lycus would come to Thebes. Some say Nycteus and Lycus were sons of the Spartoi Chthonius, though others call them sons of Hyrieus. Certainly Nycteus and Lycus were friends of Polydorus, for the king offered the pair shelter when they had fled from Euboea after the death of Phlegyas.

Polydorus would marry Nycteis, the daughter of Nycteus, and would thereafter become the father of a son called Labdacus. 

Nycteus After Polydorus

​Polydorus was said to have died when he was still relatively young, for certainly Labdacus was too young to succeed him. Polydorus’ death was believed to have been natural, as no source tells of any intrigue in his death. 

Polydorus would appoint Nycteus to act as regent of Thebes, until Labdacus was of age, although Nycteus himself did not live much longer, and in his stead, Lycus became regent.

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Colin Quartermain - Polydorus of Thebes - 14th September 2021