The dynastic history of Thebes in Greek mythology is crowded with a bewildering number of kings between the city's new foundation (by Cadmus) and the Trojan War (see Ogyges).
[1] The first kings of the Boeotia region (before Cadmus and the flood of Deucalion) were Calydnus and Ogyges (Ogygos).
At his death, the kingdom was entrusted to his father-in-law, Nycteus, who acted as guardian for the young Labdacus, the son of Polydorus and Nycteis.
(However, an alternate account says that Antiope fled Thebes to evade her father's wrath, and sought refuge with King Epopeus after finding herself pregnant by the god Zeus.)
Lycus, as king and ruler of Thebes, waged war against Sicyon to avenge his brother and niece.
Antiope was imprisoned, but she later contrived to escape, and was reunited with her twin sons, Amphion and Zethus.
After their tearful reunion with their mother, Amphion and Zethus marched on Thebes and slew King Lycus and Dirce.
Amphion and Zethus seized power, ruling as joint kings of Thebes, and expelled Laius.
Thus, the throne of Thebes was vacant and the Thebans invited back Laius, who resided in the Peloponnesus under the protection of King Pelops, thereby restoring the original dynasty of Cadmus.
Polynices fled to the court of King Adrastus of Argos to raise an army, whose leaders were known as the Seven against Thebes.
Theseus, King of Athens, led an army against Thebes and compelled Creon to give the fallen heroes the correct rites.
Thersander joined the Greek forces in the Trojan War, but he was killed on the shores of Mysia before ever reaching Troy (by Telephus, a son of Heracles).