The king of Thebes in myth crossword puzzle is a captivating figure steeped in the rich tapestry of Greek mythology. From the enigmatic Sphinx to the tragic tale of Oedipus, Thebes played a pivotal role in shaping the myths and legends that have captivated generations.
Thebes, a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, was founded by Cadmus, a Phoenician prince. Its significance in mythology is intertwined with the numerous myths and legends associated with its kings, each leaving an indelible mark on the city’s history and lore.
Mythological Context
Thebes holds a prominent place in Greek mythology, known as the “Seven-Gated City.” Its founding is attributed to Cadmus, who followed a cow to the site guided by the Delphic Oracle. The city became a center of power and a setting for numerous myths and legends, including the stories of Oedipus, Antigone, and the Sphinx.
Prominent Myths and Legends, King of thebes in myth crossword
- The myth of Cadmus and the founding of Thebes
- The story of Oedipus, the cursed king who unknowingly killed his father and married his mother
- The legend of Antigone, who defied her uncle’s orders to bury her brother
- The riddle of the Sphinx, a creature who terrorized Thebes until Oedipus solved its enigma
Kings of Thebes: King Of Thebes In Myth Crossword
| Name | Reign Period | Significant Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Cadmus | Founder of Thebes | Established the city and introduced the Phoenician alphabet to Greece |
| Laius | Father of Oedipus | Consulted the oracle about his son’s fate |
| Oedipus | Cursed king who solved the Sphinx’s riddle | Ruled Thebes and unknowingly committed incest |
| Creon | Oedipus’s brother-in-law and successor | Ordered the burial of Oedipus’s daughter Antigone |
| Eteocles and Polynices | Oedipus’s sons who fought for the throne | Killed each other in the battle of the Seven against Thebes |
The kings of Thebes held absolute power and were responsible for the city’s well-being. They led armies, administered justice, and performed religious ceremonies.
The Riddle of the Sphinx
The Sphinx, a mythical creature with the head of a woman and the body of a lion, terrorized Thebes by posing a riddle to travelers. The riddle was: “What has one voice, but becomes four-footed in the morning, two-footed at noon, and three-footed in the evening?” Oedipus correctly answered, “Man,” who crawls as a baby (four-footed), walks upright as an adult (two-footed), and uses a cane in old age (three-footed).
Answering the riddle correctly allowed Oedipus to pass and become king of Thebes. However, incorrectly answering the riddle resulted in death.
Oedipus and Thebes
Oedipus, the son of Laius and Jocasta, was destined to kill his father and marry his mother. To escape this fate, he was abandoned as a baby but was found and raised by the king of Corinth. When Oedipus learned of his prophecy, he fled Corinth, unknowingly fulfilling the first part of the prophecy by killing Laius.
Arriving in Thebes, Oedipus solved the Sphinx’s riddle and became king. He later discovered the truth about his parentage and blinded himself in despair. His tragic fate led to the downfall of Thebes and the exile of his sons, Eteocles and Polynices.
Antigone and Thebes
Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus, defied her uncle Creon’s orders to bury her brother Polynices, who was deemed a traitor. Creon sentenced her to death for her disobedience, but she chose to die rather than betray her family and the gods.
Antigone’s story explores the ethical dilemmas of family loyalty, civil disobedience, and the power of the state. Her defiance of Creon’s authority and her willingness to die for her beliefs have made her a symbol of courage and resistance.
Expert Answers
Who was the first king of Thebes?
Cadmus, a Phoenician prince
What was the riddle posed by the Sphinx?
“What has one voice, but becomes four-footed and two-footed and three-footed?”
What was the tragic flaw of Oedipus?
His hubris and unwillingness to accept his fate
What did Antigone defy Creon’s orders to do?
Bury her brother, Polynices
