Megareus of Thebes
Encyclopedia
Megareus of Thebes was the son of Eurydice of Thebes
and Creon
, a king of Thebes
, who appears in Antigone
, a play by Sophocles
.
Megareus, also called Menoeceus in some versions of Antigone, had died fighting for Eteocles in the first attack on Thebes; after Creon warned him to stay away from the battle because he feared for his safety, Megareus, feeling overly confident, joined the battle because he didn't want to be thought of as a coward. Being an inexperienced soldier, he was killed at once. He is mentioned in Sophocles' Antigone, when his mother kills herself after learning that her son Haemon and his betrothed, Antigone, had both committed suicide. She thrusts a sword into her heart and curses Creon for the death of her two sons: Haemon and Megareus. In traditional Greek mythology, Megareus is known for his large stature, and is considered an anthropomorphic representation of his father's pride by some literary scholars.
In the struggle between the twins, Creon supports Eteocles. Megareus wants to fight on Eteocles' side, but Creon doesn't want him to. He even less wants him to, once he hears what Teiresias the blind prophet has to say. Teiresias says that Eteocles will win if Creon sacrifices Megareus.
But Creon doesn't want to sacrifice his own son, Neither does he want Teiresias to share this vital piece of information with the rest of Thebes. So he has Megareus leave, to be sheltered outside the city and away from the conflict. But Megareus sneaks back, and dies during the struggle, to make sure that his city wins against the army of invading Argives and discontented Thebans.
Eurydice of Thebes
In Greek mythology, Eurydice was the wife of Creon, a king of Thebes. She appears briefly in Sophocles' Antigone, to kill herself after learning that her son Haemon and his betrothed, Antigone, had both committed suicide, from a messenger. She thrusts a sword into her heart and curses Creon for...
and Creon
Creon
Creon is a figure in Greek mythology best known as the ruler of Thebes in the legend of Oedipus. He had two children with his wife, Eurydice: Megareus and Haemon...
, a king of Thebes
Ancient Thebes (Boeotia)
See Thebes, Greece for the modern city built on the ancient ruins.Ancient Thebes was a Boeotian city-state , situated to the north of the Cithaeron range, which divides Boeotia from Attica, and on the southern edge of the Boeotian plain...
, who appears in Antigone
Antigone (Sophocles)
Antigone is a tragedy by Sophocles written in or before 442 BC. Chronologically, it is the third of the three Theban plays but was written first...
, a play by Sophocles
Sophocles
Sophocles is one of three ancient Greek tragedians whose plays have survived. His first plays were written later than those of Aeschylus, and earlier than or contemporary with those of Euripides...
.
Megareus, also called Menoeceus in some versions of Antigone, had died fighting for Eteocles in the first attack on Thebes; after Creon warned him to stay away from the battle because he feared for his safety, Megareus, feeling overly confident, joined the battle because he didn't want to be thought of as a coward. Being an inexperienced soldier, he was killed at once. He is mentioned in Sophocles' Antigone, when his mother kills herself after learning that her son Haemon and his betrothed, Antigone, had both committed suicide. She thrusts a sword into her heart and curses Creon for the death of her two sons: Haemon and Megareus. In traditional Greek mythology, Megareus is known for his large stature, and is considered an anthropomorphic representation of his father's pride by some literary scholars.
In the struggle between the twins, Creon supports Eteocles. Megareus wants to fight on Eteocles' side, but Creon doesn't want him to. He even less wants him to, once he hears what Teiresias the blind prophet has to say. Teiresias says that Eteocles will win if Creon sacrifices Megareus.
But Creon doesn't want to sacrifice his own son, Neither does he want Teiresias to share this vital piece of information with the rest of Thebes. So he has Megareus leave, to be sheltered outside the city and away from the conflict. But Megareus sneaks back, and dies during the struggle, to make sure that his city wins against the army of invading Argives and discontented Thebans.