WHO WERE THE SEVEN AGAINST THEBES IN GREEK MYTHOLOGY?
Who were the Seven Against Thebes?
The term “Seven Against Thebes”, in Greek mythology, refers to a war which saw “the Seven” commanders lead an Argive army against the city state of Thebes.
The Origins of the Seven Against Thebes
The origins of the war occur with the sons of Oedipus disputing the throne of Thebes. Initially, the two sons, Polynices and Eteocles, agreed to rule in alternate years, but Eteocles refused to yield when his initial year was up. Polynices was thereafter forced into exile in Argos, where he was welcomed by King Adrastus.
Adrastus was one of the three kings of Argos at the time, but he promised Polynices, who was now his son-in-law, an Argive army to assist him to gain the throne of Thebes. This army was to be led by Seven commanders, for there were seven gates in the walls of Thebes.
As to who were the Seven Against Thebes, there is some slight disagreement in names, for the story of the war was told by many different writers throughout antiquity.
Adrastus was one of the three kings of Argos at the time, but he promised Polynices, who was now his son-in-law, an Argive army to assist him to gain the throne of Thebes. This army was to be led by Seven commanders, for there were seven gates in the walls of Thebes.
As to who were the Seven Against Thebes, there is some slight disagreement in names, for the story of the war was told by many different writers throughout antiquity.
The Oath Of The Seven Chiefs - Stories of the Greek Tragedians - 1879 - PD-life-70
Who Were the Seven Against Thebes?
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The most famous source for the war of the Seven Against Thebes, was a work, titled Seven Against Thebes written by Aeschylus in the 5th century BC; and seven names are of course given.
Amphiaraus – Amphiaraus was one of the three kings of Argos at the time of the Seven Against Thebes; Argos having been split between Anaxagoras, Bias and Melampus many years before. Amphiaraus was the great-grandson of Melampus and is commonly said to have been the son of Oicles and Hypermnestra. By Eriphyle, Adrastus’ sister, Amphiaraus was father to two sons, Alcmaeon and Amphilochus, and several daughters. Blessed by Zeus and Apollo, Amphiaraus was a seer of some note, and he initially refused to join the expedition, even attempting to persuade Adrastus against it. Eriphyle though was offered a bribe in the form of the Necklace of Harmonia, and because Amphiaraus had previously agreed that in case of a disagreement his wife could make the decision, Amphiaraus went to war. Capaneus – Capaneus was the son of Hipponous and Astynome, sister of Adrastus; Capaneus would go on to marry Evadne, the daughter of Iphis, the third king of Argos at the time (along with Adrastus and Amphiaraus). By Evadne, Capaneus would become father of Sthenelus. Capaneus was highly regarded as a skilled warrior, one with immense strength, and so he was named as one of the Seven commanders, although he had a big weakness, for he was arrogant in the extreme. |
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Eteoclus – Iphis, the third king of Argos, did not take part in the expedition against Thebes, perhaps because he was too old, instead his son, Eteoclus, would become one of the Seven.
Hippomedon – Hippomedon was either the son, or grandson, of Talaus, and was thus, either brother or nephew of Adrastus. By Evanippe, it was said that he became father to Polydorus.
Hippomedon was known for the fact that most of his spare time was spent training for war.
Parthenopaeus – Parthenopaeus was commonly said to be a son of Atalanta by either Hippomenes or Meleager; with Pathenopaeus arriving in Argos when still a youth. This parentage though produces no ties to the royal houses of Argos, and so it was occasionally said that Parthenopaeus was a son of Talaus, and thus, brother to Adrastus.
Parthenopaeus was a great fighter but was too often conceited and over-confident. Parthenopaeus was said to have had one son, Promachus, by the nymph Clymene.
Polynices – Polynices was the son of Oedipus, born from Oedipus’ incestuous relationship with Jocasta, making Polynices brother to Eteocles, Antigone, and Ismene. The quarrel between Polynices and Eteocles would lead to the war, although first, Polynices was exiled from Thebes.
In the court of Adrastus in Argos, Polynices found welcome, and a new wife, for he married Argia, who would give birth to three sons for Polynices, Thersander, Timeas and Adrastus.
Polynices was known for his courage, for he fought with Tydeus before the war, and of course, as Polynices was the reason for the expedition against Thebes, it was only natural that he was one of the Seven.
Tydeus – Tydeus was the son of King Oeneus and Periboea, and though born in Calydon, was an exile in Argos when Polynices arrived there. The two fought, but like Polynices, Tydeus was accepted by Adrastus and given Adrastus’ daughter, Deipyle, in marriage. Tydeus would become father to a son, Diomedes.
Tydeus was arguably the greatest warrior amongst the Seven, and Tydeus was initially helped because he was favoured by the goddess Athena.
Hippomedon – Hippomedon was either the son, or grandson, of Talaus, and was thus, either brother or nephew of Adrastus. By Evanippe, it was said that he became father to Polydorus.
Hippomedon was known for the fact that most of his spare time was spent training for war.
Parthenopaeus – Parthenopaeus was commonly said to be a son of Atalanta by either Hippomenes or Meleager; with Pathenopaeus arriving in Argos when still a youth. This parentage though produces no ties to the royal houses of Argos, and so it was occasionally said that Parthenopaeus was a son of Talaus, and thus, brother to Adrastus.
Parthenopaeus was a great fighter but was too often conceited and over-confident. Parthenopaeus was said to have had one son, Promachus, by the nymph Clymene.
Polynices – Polynices was the son of Oedipus, born from Oedipus’ incestuous relationship with Jocasta, making Polynices brother to Eteocles, Antigone, and Ismene. The quarrel between Polynices and Eteocles would lead to the war, although first, Polynices was exiled from Thebes.
In the court of Adrastus in Argos, Polynices found welcome, and a new wife, for he married Argia, who would give birth to three sons for Polynices, Thersander, Timeas and Adrastus.
Polynices was known for his courage, for he fought with Tydeus before the war, and of course, as Polynices was the reason for the expedition against Thebes, it was only natural that he was one of the Seven.
Tydeus – Tydeus was the son of King Oeneus and Periboea, and though born in Calydon, was an exile in Argos when Polynices arrived there. The two fought, but like Polynices, Tydeus was accepted by Adrastus and given Adrastus’ daughter, Deipyle, in marriage. Tydeus would become father to a son, Diomedes.
Tydeus was arguably the greatest warrior amongst the Seven, and Tydeus was initially helped because he was favoured by the goddess Athena.
Alternative Names for the Seven
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Many other writers gave their own lists of the Seven, and it was very common for Eteoclus to be replaced by Adrastus.
Adrastus – Asrastus was one of the three kings of Argos in the time when the Seven Against Thebes occurred. Adrastus was a son of Talaus and Lysimache, who would later marry his own niece, Amphithea. Adrastus would become father to a number of children, including a son, Aegialeus, and daughters who included Argia and Deipyle. Having welcomed Polynices and Tydeus into his home, Adrastus married them to his two daughters, believing that he was fulfilling a previous prophecy. Adrastus would also agree to return Polynices and Tydeus to their rightful positions. When Eteoclus was replaced, it was common to say that he was an ally of the Seven; similarly, another ally was named, Mecisteus, although on occasion he was named as one of the Seven. Mecisteus – Mecisteus was a brother of Adrastus born to Talaus and Lysimache. By a woman named Astyoche, he would become father of Euryalus. During the war, all of the Seven Against Thebes, aside from Adrastus, were killed, and it was left to their sons to revenge them, for these sons were the Epigoni. |
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Colin Quartermain - Who were the Seven Against Thebes? - 16th February 2020