This article is about the son of Oedipus. For the other mythological figure of the same name, see
Eteocles (son of Andreus).
In
Greek mythology, Eteocles (/ɪˈtiːəkliːz/;
Greek: Ἐτεοκλῆς) was a king of
Thebes, the son of
Oedipus and either
Jocasta[1] or
Euryganeia. Oedipus killed his father
Laius and married his mother without knowing his relationship to either. When the relationship was revealed, he was expelled from Thebes. The rule passed to his sons Eteocles and
Polynices. However, because of a curse from their father, the two brothers did not share the rule peacefully and died as a result, ultimately killing each other in battle for control of the city. Upon his death, Eteocles was succeeded by his uncle,
Creon.
Etymology
The name translates as "truly glorious", from ἐτεός (eteós, “true”) + -κλῆς (-klês < kleos “glory”).[2] It also appears in earlier form *Etewoklewes (Ἐτεϝοκλέϝης). Tawagalawas is thought to be the
Hittite rendition of the Greek name.[3]
Oedipus's curse
In the Thebaid, the brothers were cursed by their father for their disrespect towards him on two occasions. The first of these occurred when they served him using the silver table of
Cadmus and a golden cup, which he had forbidden.[4] The brothers then sent him the
haunch of a sacrificed animal, rather than the shoulder, which he deserved. Enraged, Oedipus prayed to
Zeus that the brothers would die by each other's hands.[5] However, in
Sophocles's Oedipus at Colonus, Oedipus desired to stay in Thebes but was expelled by Creon. His sons argued over the throne, but Eteocles gained the support of the Thebans and expelled Polynices, who went to Oedipus to ask for his blessing to retake the city, but instead was cursed to die by his brother's hand.[6]
Quarrel over Thebes
There are several accounts of how Eteocles and Polynices shared the rule after Oedipus's departure from the city. In
Hellanicus's account, Eteocles offers his brother his choice of either the rule of the city or a share of the property. In
Pherecydes, however, Eteocles expels Polynices by force, and keeps the rule of Thebes and the inheritance. The Bibliotheca and
Diodorus state that the brothers agree to divide the kingship between them, switching each year. Eteocles, however, was allotted the first year, and refused to surrender the crown.[7]
In all of these versions, Polynices gathered the support of the
Argives and attacked Thebes, in the war of
Seven against Thebes, the subject of
Aeschylus' tragedy Seven Against Thebes. Although Eteocles's forces were victorious, the brothers killed each other.[1]
Popular culture
Eteocles appears in the 1959 film Hercules Unchained, portrayed by Italian actor
Sergio Fantoni. The film portrays Eteocles as one of three villains (including his brother Polynices and the film's
femme fataleQueen Omphale) whose sadistic nature is demonstrated by his private arena filled with
tigers fed human
prisoners of war. His madness is also demonstrated by his public execution of Theban prisoners whom he orders thrown from atop the city's main gate as a warning against his brother's opposition. The film follows only the mythology of Eteocles' relation to his father and brother, including his eventual death at the hands of Polynices. The film however, omits any acknowledgement of Creon being the uncle of Eteocles.
Dotted lines indicate extra-marital relationships or adoptions.
Kings of Thebes are numbered with bold names and a light purple background.
Joint rules are indicated by a number and lowercase letter, for example, 5a. Amphion shared the throne with 5b. Zethus.
Regents of Thebes are alphanumbered (format AN) with bold names and a light red background.
The number N refers to the regency preceding the reign of the Nth king. Generally this means the regent served the Nth king but not always, as Creon (A9) was serving as regent to Laodamas (the 10th King) when he was slain by Lycus II (the usurping 9th king).
The letter A refers to the regency sequence. "A" is the first regent, "B" is the second, etc.