Teiresias
heroTiresias was the blind seer of Thebes who experienced life as both man and woman, was blinded by the gods, and compensated with the gift of prophecy.
The Myth
Tiresias encountered two mating serpents and struck them, becoming a woman for seven years. After striking serpents again, he became male once more. When Zeus and Hera argued over whether men or women experienced more pleasure in love, Tiresias — uniquely qualified — answered that women did. Hera blinded him in fury; Zeus granted him inner sight and a lifespan of seven generations. He advised Oedipus, warned Pentheus, and counselled Odysseus in the underworld.
Parents
Everes and Chariclo
Children
Manto (prophetess)
Symbols
Fun Fact
T.S. Eliot made Tiresias the central consciousness of The Waste Land — the figure who has "foresuffered all."
Explore Further
Hera
godQueen of the Olympian gods and goddess of marriage. Known for her jealous rages against Zeus's...
Odysseus
heroThe cleverest of the Greek heroes, whose ten-year journey home from Troy is one of the greatest...
Oedipus
heroThe tragic king of Thebes who unknowingly killed his father and married his mother, fulfilling a...
Tiresias
heroThe most famous seer in Greek mythology, blinded by the gods but given the gift of prophecy in...
Zeus
godSupreme ruler of the Olympian gods and lord of the sky. Zeus overthrew his father Kronos and...
Achilles
heroThe greatest warrior in the Greek army at Troy, nearly invulnerable thanks to being dipped in the...