Theban Cycle

In the collection, the precise sequence of events and the handling of characters and plots are difficult to reconstruct.

It records the quarrel between the brothers Eteocles and Polynices, sons of Oedipus, which led to the war of the Seven against Thebes.

After Oedipus gave up the throne of Thebes, his sons Eteocles and Polynices reached an agreement on how to divide their inheritance from their father.

Polynices took possession of the material property while Eteocles claimed the title of the royal family.

[4] It tells the story of Alcmaeon killing his mother, Eriphyle, because she arranged for the death of his father Amphiaraus, whose murder is told in Thebaid.

[4] The collection of four lost epics along with other ancient Greek literature influenced later literary creations.

The Thebaid was probably the basis for a later Latin epic poem of the same title which describes the struggle of Polynices and Eteocles for the throne of Thebes.

Despite being criticized as rather exaggerated, it was popular in the Middle Ages and Renaissance and promoted further literary creation.