CLA204H1 Lecture Notes - Spartoi, Chthonius, Nycteus
Document Summary
Thebes in an important city in the 5th century and beyond. What we know about it is somewhat sketchy. Lots of it comes from what athenians tell us about thebes. We also learn a lot about it from greek tragedy. Since the two are very antagonistic, this is probably biased. One of the theories around this is that when athens wants to talk about things that are going on, they explore issues through thebes. A lot of theban myth is adapted to t athenian views and mindsets. Son of agenor (an eastern king) of phoenicia: brother of europa (woman who zeus abducted in bull-form) Delphic oracle asking how to nd the sister. Oracle tells him to found a city: follow the cow until it collapses, and where that is he is to found a city. This is the name for the acropolis in thebes.
