In Greek mythology, Megareus (/ˌmɛɡəˈreɪəs/; Greek: Μεγαρέας) or Menoeceus (Μενοικεύς) was a warrior of Thebes, who figures in the war of the Seven against Thebes – the struggle between Eteocles and Polynices, the twin sons of Oedipus, for the throne of Thebes. He was known for his large stature, and is considered an anthropomorphic representation of his father's pride by some literary scholars.
Creon supported Eteocles, the incumbent king. Megareus wanted to fight for Eteocles, but Creon did not want him to, fearing for his safety. Also, Tiresias, the blind prophet, told Creon that Eteocles would win if Creon sacrificed Megareus, reinforcing his decision. Creon suppressed Tiresias' prophecy, and sent Megareus to be sheltered away from the city of Thebes.
Despite this, Megareus joined the battle because he didn't want to be thought a coward. Overconfident and inexperienced, he was killed in the first clash. He is mentioned in Aeschylus's play Seven Against Thebes, where he is matched against Eteoclus at the gate of Neïs.[1]
He is also mentioned in Sophocles' play Antigone.[2] His mother, Eurydice of Thebes, kills herself after learning that her son Haemon and his betrothed, Antigone, had both committed suicide. She thrusts a sword into her heart and curses Creon for the death of her two sons: Haemon and Megareus. He is also called Menoeceus in some versions of Antigone.
Notesedit
^Aeschylus (1973). Seven Against Thebes. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 40–41. ISBN0-19-507007-0.
^Sophocles. Antigone, 1307-1308, ed. David Grene and Richmond Lattimore. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1991
Referencesedit
Aeschylus, translated in two volumes. 1. Seven Against Thebes by Herbert Weir Smyth, Ph. D. Cambridge, MA. Harvard University Press. 1926. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library. Greek text available from the same website.
Sophocles, The Antigone of Sophocles edited with introduction and notes by Sir Richard Jebb. Cambridge. Cambridge University Press. 1893. Online version at the Perseus Digital Library.
Sophocles, Sophocles. Vol 1: Oedipus the king. Oedipus at Colonus. Antigone. With an English translation by F. Storr. The Loeb classical library, 20. Francis Storr. London; New York. William Heinemann Ltd.; The Macmillan Company. 1912. Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library.
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megareus, thebes, other, uses, megareus, greek, mythology, megareus, greek, Μεγαρέας, menoeceus, Μενοικεύς, warrior, thebes, figures, seven, against, thebes, struggle, between, eteocles, polynices, twin, sons, oedipus, throne, thebes, known, large, stature, co. For other uses see Megareus In Greek mythology Megareus ˌ m ɛ ɡ e ˈ r eɪ e s Greek Megareas or Menoeceus Menoikeys was a warrior of Thebes who figures in the war of the Seven against Thebes the struggle between Eteocles and Polynices the twin sons of Oedipus for the throne of Thebes He was known for his large stature and is considered an anthropomorphic representation of his father s pride by some literary scholars Contents 1 Family 2 Mythology 3 Notes 4 ReferencesFamily editMegareus was the son of Eurydice of Thebes and Creon uncle of the two princes and thus brother of Lycomedes Haemon Megara Pyrrha and probably Henioche Mythology editCreon supported Eteocles the incumbent king Megareus wanted to fight for Eteocles but Creon did not want him to fearing for his safety Also Tiresias the blind prophet told Creon that Eteocles would win if Creon sacrificed Megareus reinforcing his decision Creon suppressed Tiresias prophecy and sent Megareus to be sheltered away from the city of Thebes Despite this Megareus joined the battle because he didn t want to be thought a coward Overconfident and inexperienced he was killed in the first clash He is mentioned in Aeschylus s play Seven Against Thebes where he is matched against Eteoclus at the gate of Neis 1 He is also mentioned in Sophocles play Antigone 2 His mother Eurydice of Thebes kills herself after learning that her son Haemon and his betrothed Antigone had both committed suicide She thrusts a sword into her heart and curses Creon for the death of her two sons Haemon and Megareus He is also called Menoeceus in some versions of Antigone Notes edit Aeschylus 1973 Seven Against Thebes New York Oxford University Press pp 40 41 ISBN 0 19 507007 0 Sophocles Antigone 1307 1308 ed David Grene and Richmond Lattimore Chicago University of Chicago Press 1991References editAeschylus translated in two volumes 1 Seven Against Thebes by Herbert Weir Smyth Ph D Cambridge MA Harvard University Press 1926 Online version at the Perseus Digital Library Greek text available from the same website Sophocles The Antigone of Sophocles edited with introduction and notes by Sir Richard Jebb Cambridge Cambridge University Press 1893 Online version at the Perseus Digital Library Sophocles Sophocles Vol 1 Oedipus the king Oedipus at Colonus Antigone With an English translation by F Storr The Loeb classical library 20 Francis Storr London New York William Heinemann Ltd The Macmillan Company 1912 Greek text available at the Perseus Digital Library nbsp This article relating to Greek mythology is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Megareus of Thebes amp oldid 1129784349, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
