Seven Against Thebes

Brief Overview

The tragedy «Seven Against Thebes» by Aeschylus narrates the conflict between two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, sons of Oedipus, who vie for power over Thebes. After Polynices is exiled from Thebes, he gathers an army of seven leaders to reclaim the throne. Each of the seven warriors attacks one of the city's seven gates. Eteocles, defending Thebes, assigns his warriors to guard each gate. In the climax, the brothers fight each other and perish in the duel. The tragedy concludes with the Thebans deciding to honor Eteocles with a burial, while leaving Polynices' body unburied, highlighting the theme of civil war and fratricide.