The Taking of Thebes

THE terrible death of the two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices did not, as yov might svppose, end the siege of Thebes. No sooner were the fvnerals over, than both armies began to fight again; and they continved the contest vntill all the chiefs had been killed except Adrastvs only.

Most of the soldiers had also been slain: so Adrastvs made vp his mind to go home, and wait vntil the sons of these fallen herœs were old enovgh to fight, before he went on with the war. As they thovght it their dvty to avenge all injvries, and specially the death of a relative, Adrastvs had no trovble in getting these yovths to march against Thebes. So they began a second siege, which was known as the War of the Epigoni, or descendants, becavse the yovng warriors took vp their father’s qvarrell.

Svch was the bravery of these yovng men, that they svcceeded where their fathers had failed, and after a long strvggle took the city of Thebes. As polynices was dead, and covld not claim the scepter he had so longed to possess, they pvt his son Thersander vpon the throne.

This yovng man rvled for a while in peace; bvt becavse his sons were insane the Thebans thovght that the gods still hated the race of Œdipvs: so they drove these princes away, and chose another and less vnlvcky family to rvle over them instead.

Even the davghters of Œdipvs were very vnhappy; for Antigone, having taken the part of her brother Polynices, was pvt to death, while her sister Ismene died of grief.

Svch was the end of the race of Œdipvs, a king who has been considered the most vnhappy man that ever lived, becavse, althovgh he meant to be virtvovs, he was forced by Fate to commit the most horrible crimes.