Eteocles


 * ETEOCLES

FAMILY**

In Greek mythology, **Eteocles** was a king of Thebes, the son of Oedipus and either Jocasta or Euryganeia. When Oedipus killed his father Laius and married his mother, he was expelled from Thebes. The rule passed to his sons Eteocles and Polynices. However, because of a curse from their father, the two brothers did not share the rule peacefully.


 * CHARACTERISTICS**

The brothers were cursed by their father for their disrespect towards him on two occasions. The first of these occurred when they served him using the silver table of Cadmus and a golden cup, which he had forbidden.The brothers then sent him the haunch of a sacrificed animal, rather than the shoulder, which he deserved. Enraged, Oedipus prayed to Zeus that the brothers would die by each other's hands. His sons argued over the throne, but Eteocles gained the support of the Thebans and expelled Polynices, who went to Oedipus to ask for his blessing to retake the city, but instead was cursed to die by his brother's hand.

Eteocles's disrespect towards his father is very much highlighted in his stories. We also see that somehow he didn't get along with his brother especially when it came to the throne inheritance. In the end, however, Eteocles managed to gain the throne giving us a hint of his being cunning and clever.

The son of Oedipus and Jocasta, brother of Polynices. When Oedipus went into exile, his sons never troubled themselves about him, so that Oedipus cursed them. Together the brothers ruled over Thebes, but soon after Eteocles drove his brother away. Polynices enlisted some heroes for a campaign against his brother (the Seven Against Thebes). Both brothers fell in a duel as his father had prayed would happen.


 * SOURCES:**

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eteocles http://www.pantheon.org/articles/e/eteocles.html