Polynices
heroPolynices was the son of Oedipus who raised an army of seven champions to take Thebes from his brother Eteocles — the brothers killed each other in single combat.
The Myth
After Oedipus's exile, his sons Eteocles and Polynices agreed to alternate as king of Thebes. Eteocles refused to give up the throne. Polynices married the daughter of King Adrastus of Argos and assembled the Seven Against Thebes — seven champions who attacked each of Thebes' seven gates. The brothers met at the seventh gate and killed each other simultaneously. Creon forbade Polynices' burial, prompting Antigone's famous defiance.
Parents
Oedipus and Jocasta
Children
Thersander
Symbols
Fun Fact
The Seven Against Thebes was one of the great epic cycles — now almost entirely lost, known mainly through Aeschylus and Statius.
Explore Further
Adrastus
heroAdrastus was the only survivor of the Seven Against Thebes — he escaped on his divine horse Arion...
Antigone
heroDaughter of Oedipus who defied King Creon's decree to bury her brother Polynices. Her story is one...
Eteocles
heroEteocles was the son of Oedipus who refused to share the throne of Thebes with his brother...
Oedipus
heroThe tragic king of Thebes who unknowingly killed his father and married his mother, fulfilling a...
Thebes
placeThebes was the great city of Boeotia, founded by Cadmus who sowed dragon teeth, and the setting for...
Achilles
heroThe greatest warrior in the Greek army at Troy, nearly invulnerable thanks to being dipped in the...