Eteocles

[ ih-tee-uh-kleez ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Classical Mythology.

a son of Oedipus and the brother of Polynices, by whom he was slain. Compare Seven against Thebes ( def 1 ).

Eteocles

/ ˈɛtɪə-; ɪˈtiːəˌkliːz /

Greek myth a son of Oedipus and Jocasta. He expelled his brother Polynices from Thebes; they killed each other in single combat when Polynices returned as leader of the Seven against Thebes

Eteocles refused, however, to relinquish the throne; and with the help of the soldiers, drove Polynices out of the city.

Accordingly Polynices and Eteocles met face to face, and fought so fiercely that both of them were killed.

The terrible death of the two brothers Eteocles and Polynices did not, as you might suppose, end the siege of Thebes.

But Eteocles, being an ambitious prince, soon seized the reins of government himself, and expelled his brother from the throne.

It is resolved to bury this body of Eteocles for his attachment to his country, with the dear interment in earth!

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