Teiresias
Tiresias 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 Legend of Teiresias
A Theban seer, Teiresias once encountered two mating serpents on a mountain near Thebes and struck them, becoming a woman for seven years. After striking serpents again, he returned to male form. When Zeus and Hera argued over who enjoyed love more, they summoned Teiresias. He sided with Zeus, saying women derived nine-tenths of the pleasure. Hera blinded him in rage; Zeus, unable to undo another god's curse, gave him the gift of prophecy and a lifespan of seven generations. He advised Oedipus, warned Creon about Antigone, and guided Odysseus's consultation in Hades. Apollo honoured his sight beyond the grave.
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
Tiresias
🗡 heroBlind prophet of Thebes
The most famous seer in Greek mythology, blinded by the gods but given the gift of prophecy in compensation. Tiresias advised kings and heroes across multiple generations.
Teiresias
🗡 heroprophecy
Blind Theban prophet who lived seven generations and was the only mortal to experience life as both man and woman.
Melampus
🗡 heroNone recorded
The first mortal prophet in Greek tradition who gained the ability to understand the speech of animals after serpents licked his ears clean
Polyidus
🗡 heroProphecy, Resurrection, Crete
Argive seer who found and resurrected the drowned prince Glaucus of Crete using a herb he observed a serpent use.
Phineus
🗡 heroprophecy, punishment
A blind Thracian king and prophet punished by Zeus for revealing divine secrets, tormented by Harpies until rescued by the Argonauts.
Halitherses
🗡 heroNone recorded
Elderly Ithacan prophet who interpreted bird omens and supported Telemachus
Amphiaraus
🗡 heroThe prophet who foresaw his own death at Thebes
A warrior-prophet who knew the Seven Against Thebes would fail but marched to his death anyway, swallowed by the earth.
Calchas
🗡 heroprophecy
Chief seer of the Greek army at Troy who interpreted omens, demanded Iphigenia's sacrifice, and foretold the war's length.
Manto
🗡 heroprophecy
Daughter of Tiresias and prophetess in her own right who was sent to Delphi as a war prize after Thebes fell.
Mopsus
🗡 heroprophecy
Son of Manto and grandson of Tiresias who defeated the great seer Calchas in a divination contest, causing Calchas to die.
Amphiaraus
🗡 heroSeer-warrior swallowed by earth
Amphiaraus was a warrior-prophet who foresaw his death in the Seven Against Thebes but marched anyway, bound by his wife's betrayal.
Phineus the Seer
🗡 heroprophecy
Blind Thracian king and prophet cursed by Zeus to have his food snatched by Harpies until the Argonauts freed him.