Eteoclus
In Greek mythology, Eteoclus (Ancient Greek: Ἐτέοκλος) was the son of Iphis. He participated in the war on Thebes by the Seven Against Thebes, and was occasionally included on the list of the seven leaders.[1] In Euripides' Suppliant Women, Adrastus describes him as a young, poor yet dignified person who would reject luxurious gifts from friends and was highly honored by fellow Argives.[2]
In Aeschylus' play Seven Against Thebes, Eteoclus is one of the seven champions who attack Thebes' seven gates. He attacks the Neistan gates, carrying a shield which displays a man scaling a tower with a ladder, on which shield it is written that not even Ares could cast him down. He is confronted by Megareus.[3] However, in the Phoenician Women, Adrastus is named as the assailant of the seventh gate of Thebes and Eteoclus is not mentioned.[4] Other authors, among them Diodorus,[5] Statius,[6] and Hyginus,[7] do not mention Eteoclus either.
Eteoclus was said to have been killed by Leades, a son of Astacus.[8] His son Medon was sometimes mentioned as one of the Epigoni.[9]
References
- ^ E. g. Pausanias, Description of Greece, 10. 10. 3
- ^ Euripides' Suppliant Women, 871 - 877
- ^ Aeschylus, Seven Against Thebes, 457 - 474
- ^ Euripides, Phoenician Women, 1134
- ^ Library of History 4. 65
- ^ Thebaid, 4. 49 ff
- ^ Hyginus, Fabulae, 70
- ^ Pseudo-Apollodorus, Bibliotheca, 3. 6. 8
- ^ Scholia on Iliad, 4. 404