Seven against Thebes
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,Performing Arts
Seven against Thebes Details
When the shamed Oedipus stepped down as king of Thebes, he gave the kingdom to his two sons, Eteocles and Polynices, on the understanding that they would alternate the throne every year. However, after the first year, Eteocles refuses to step down and drives out Polynices. Polynices and the Argive king Adrastus gather together a force under seven captains and are about to attack the city of Thebes in order to claim the throne. Eteocles appears and warns the people, calling them to arms. Then he resolves to meet Polynices and fight with him in single combat. Both brothers die. The bodies of the two princes are brought on stage, and the Chorus mourns them, as do the sisters of the killed men, Antigone and Ismene, who alone are left of the royal house. The tragedy is now complete.A great play by Aeschylus, father of classical western tragedy.
Reviews
This Clarendon paperbacks edition of Septem Contra Thebas (Seven Against Thebes) is a good edition of the Greek text, with a Critical Apparatus. It has a very good introduction, and the commentary on the text is detailed and helpful. Although this is not designed as a student text, it is suitable for an advanced student of Greek who wants to study Aeschylus in the original language.