Tiresias
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.
The Legend of Tiresias
A Theban prophet who lived seven generations, Tiresias gained his gift when Zeus and Hera argued over who derived more pleasure from love. Tiresias — who had lived as both man and woman after striking mating serpents — sided with Zeus. Hera blinded him; Zeus granted prophecy and long life. He warned Oedipus of the truth, told Creon his treatment of Antigone angered the gods, and advised Odysseus in Hades on how to reach Ithaca. Apollo honoured his sight even after death. His counsel shapes the Theban cycle and the Odyssey, making him the thread connecting Thebes, Troy, and the Underworld.
Parents
Everes and Chariclo
Children
Manto
Symbols
Fun Fact
Tiresias is one of the few mythological figures who experienced life as both a man and a woman.
Explore Further
Teiresias
🗡 heroBlind prophet of Thebes
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.
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
Calchas
🗡 heroprophecy
Chief seer of the Greek army at Troy who interpreted omens, demanded Iphigenia's sacrifice, and foretold the war's length.
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.
Mopsus
🗡 heroprophecy
Son of Manto and grandson of Tiresias who defeated the great seer Calchas in a divination contest, causing Calchas to die.
Manto
🗡 heroprophecy
Daughter of Tiresias and prophetess in her own right who was sent to Delphi as a war prize after Thebes fell.
Phineus
🗡 heroprophecy, punishment
A blind Thracian king and prophet punished by Zeus for revealing divine secrets, tormented by Harpies until rescued by the Argonauts.
Oedipus
🗡 heroKing who fulfilled the prophecy of killing his father and marrying his mother
The tragic king of Thebes who unknowingly killed his father and married his mother, fulfilling a prophecy he had spent his life trying to avoid.
Amythaon
🗡 heroProphecy, lineage
Thessalian prince and father of the great seer Melampus, founder of a celebrated prophetic dynasty
Phineus the Seer
🗡 heroprophecy
Blind Thracian king and prophet cursed by Zeus to have his food snatched by Harpies until the Argonauts freed him.
Halitherses
🗡 heroNone recorded
Elderly Ithacan prophet who interpreted bird omens and supported Telemachus