Chapter 12 Seven Heroes' Expedition to Thebes-12

Ten years later, the sons of the fallen heroes of the Battle of Thebes decided to conquer Thebes again to avenge their dead fathers.There are eight of them, called Epigonoi, which means heroes of the younger generation.These were: Alcmeon and Amphilochus sons of Amphiaraus, Aegialeus son of Adrastus, Diomedes son of Tydeus, Parthenus Promachus the son of Paius, Stheneros the son of Capaneus, Tersantros the son of Polynices, and Euryalus the son of Meccastheus.Meclistheus was not one of the seven heroes, he was the brother of King Adrathos.The elderly king Adrastos also participated in this expedition, but not only as commander.Together, the eight heroes prayed to the oracle in the Temple of Apollo to choose a commander for them.The oracle told them that the right man was Alcmaeon.

Alcmaion wondered if he would be able to take this position before he avenged his father.So he also prayed to the oracle, and the oracle replied that both things could be done at the same time.Prior to this, his mother Eriphile not only possessed the unlucky necklace, but also obtained Aphrodite's second unlucky treasure, the veil.It was the inheritance of Polynices' son Tersantros, and he used it to bribe Eriphile, asking her to persuade him to join the war against Thebes. In order to obey the oracle, Alkmaion became the commander in chief, and prepared to avenge his father after returning.He raised a mighty army in Argos.Many brave warriors from neighboring cities also participated.A mighty army marched towards Thebes.Like their fathers ten years ago, these sons besieged the city of Thebes again and fought fiercely.But they were luckier than their fathers, and Alcmaeon won a decisive battle, in which only Aegialeus, son of King Adrastus, was slain.He died at the hands of Laodamas the Thebes.Laodamas was the son of Eteocles, who was later beaten to death by Alcmaeon, the commander of Epigonoy.

The Thebes lost their leader and many soldiers, so they abandoned their positions and retreated to the city.They turned to the blind Tiresias for advice.The prophet Tiresias was still alive at that time, but he was over a hundred years old. He suggested that everyone send messengers to ask the Argives for peace, and at the same time abandon the city and flee. The Thebes adopted his suggestion and sent envoys to the enemy camp to negotiate peace.They took the opportunity of negotiation and fled the city of Thebes with their wives and children in a cart.Late at night, they arrived at a city in Beethias.The blind Tiresias also escaped, and died of the cold from drinking cold water.This clever seer was also highly valued in the underworld, because he retained his superb sense and divination skills.His daughter Manto did not flee with him, but remained in Thebes, falling into the hands of the occupiers.Before entering the city, the occupiers had made a vow to Apollo, the sun god, to sacrifice to him the noblest spoils found in the city.Now they agree that the gods must like the prophetess Manto, because she inherited her father's magical ability of prophecy.Epigonaui took Manto to Delphi and offered her to the sun god as his priestess.Here, her prophecy is more perfect and her wisdom is more extraordinary.Soon, Mantor became the most famous prophetess of the time.People often see an old man coming in and out with her.She taught the old man beautiful songs.Before long, these poems spread throughout Greece.

This old man was the famous Maionian singer Homer.