Greek Mythology
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updated 7-24-04

Chapter 17a: The Myths of Thebes
Pages 447-454
30 points

Students are sometimes confused to discover that Thebes, the main city of Boeotia for much of the ancient Greek period, has the same name as another famous city in ancient Egypt. Also confusing is the fact that Thebes has two stories about its founding.

The Boeotian Thebes was the setting of many famous Greek myths and legends, heroes and heroines, victories and tragedies. When you look at the family tree on page 449, you will notice how many major deities were connected with the House of Cadmus.  When you read their stories, you will discover what terrible tragedies befell most of the mortals whose names appear. This pattern should suggest to you that it was not always a good thing to attract the attention of the gods.

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Notice the number and importance of the deities who take part in this version of the founding of Thebes.

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1. Cadmus, searching in vain for his sister Europa, finally consults the Oracle at Delphi for advice. What does the Oracle tell him? (Ovid. Metamorphosis ll. 9-15)
2. What does Cadmus discover when his followers do not return with water for the sacrifice? (ll. 51-59)
3. How does he kill the dragon? (ll. 90-95)
4. What does Athena suggest Cadmus should do with the dragon’s teeth? (ll. 96-105) Of what other myth does this remind you?
5. Who were the ancestors of the other important families of Thebes and how were they chosen? (ll. 117-132)
6. Why does Cadmus have to serve Ares for five years although he was only doing what Athena told him to do?
7. How does the marriage festival of Cadmus and Harmonia hint that the House of Cadmus will not always have smooth sailing?
8. What finally happens to Cadmus and Harmonia?
   

This myth is called a foundation myth because it involves the building of the walls around Thebes, a symbolic act that is often thought to mark the actual founding of a city. The people in it are related to Cadmus, but their stories come from a different group of myths. It will later be important to know that the Walls of Thebes had Seven Gates.

(10)

1. The first part of this story centers on Antiope, who was persecuted because she was seduced and made pregnant by Zeus. This story and others like it, in which a mortal woman is made pregnant by the most important god, is a theme found in all Eastern mythologies but finds its Christian counterpart only in the story of Mary, Mother of Jesus.
2. Antiope’s twins sons, Amphion and Zethus, illustrate the motif of twin births (see pages 349-350 if you need to refresh your memory). What strategy does Zethus use to move the stones? What strategy does Amphion use?
3. How is the name of Zethus’ wife a hint that this story was originally a foundation myth?
4. Who was Amphion’s wife and what happened to her?
5. Why do Artemis and Apollo care about Niobê's insult to Leto?

Revisit the genealogy of the House of Cadmus shown on page 452.

One important connection that may not be clear on first looking at the genealogy is that Oedipus is the son of Laius and Jocasta and is thus a double heir to the tragedies that seem to plague the House of Cadmus.