Theban cycle
Antigone and the Burial of Polynices: Greek Tragedy
Orin Vale
Antigone and the burial of Polynices recount a decisive clash between family loyalty, divine obligation, and the authority of the state in the Theban cycle of Greek myth. Best known from Sophocles’ *Antigone*, the episode invites readers to consider why her defiance mattered, how Polynices became a symbol of contested honor, and why the story still resonates.
The Seven Against Thebes: Summary and Mythology
Orin Vale
The Seven Against Thebes is a foundational myth of Greek literature, telling how Polynices assembled six champions to reclaim Thebes from his brother Eteocles amid a destructive family curse. Best known through Aeschylus’ tragedy, the story blends political rivalry, divine omens, and civic duty, offering a tense prelude to one of mythology’s most famous battles.
