The history of the world

§. VII. Of the warre of Thebes which was in this age. [unspec 20]

IN this age was the warre of Thebes, the most ancient that euer Greeke Poet or Historian wrote of: Wherefore the Roman Poet Lucretius, af∣firming (as the Epicures in this point held truely against the Peripa∣teticks) that the world had a beginning, vrgeth them with this obiection.

— Si nulla fuit genitalis origo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & mundi, semperque 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, [unspec 30] Cur suprà bellum Thebanum, & funera 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Nòn alias aly quoqueres cecinere poetae?

If all this world had no originall, But things haue euer beene as now they are: Before the siege of Thebes or Troyes last fall, Why did no Poet sing some elder warre?

It is true that in these times Greece was very saluage, the inhabitants being often chaced from place to place, by the captaines of greater Tribes: and no man thin∣king [unspec 40] the ground whereon hee dwelt his owne longer than hee could hold it by strong hand. Wherefore merchandize and other intercourse they vsed little, nei∣ther did they plant many trees, or sow more corne than was necessarie for their sus∣tenance. Money they had little or none, for it is thought that the name of money was not heard in Greece, when Homer did write, who measures the valew of gold and brasse by the worth in cattell; saying that the golden armour of Glaucus, was worth 100. beeues, and the copper armour of Diomedes worth nine.

Robberies by land and sea were common and without shame, and to steale horses or kine was the vsuall exercise of their great men. Their townes were not many, whereof those that were walled were very few, and not great. For Mycenae [unspec 50] the principall Citie in Peloponnesus was a very little thing, and it may well be thought that the rest were proportionable: briefly, Greece was then in her infancie, and though in some small townes of that halfe Ile of Peloponnesus, the inhabitants might haue enioyed quietnesse within their narrow bounds; as likewise did the

Athenians because their Country was so barren, that none did care to take it from them: yet that the land in generall was very rude, it will easily appeare to such as consider, what Thucydides the greatest of their Historians hath written to this ef∣fect, in the praeface to his Historie. Wherefore, as in these latter times, idle Chro∣niclers vse when they want good matter, to fill whole bookes with reports of great frosts, or dry summers, and other such things which no man cares to reade, so did they who spake of Greece in her beginnings, remember onely the great flouds which were in the times of Ogyges, and Deucalion: or else rehearse fables of men changed into birds, of strange monsters, of adulterie committed by their Gods, and the mightie men which they begat, without writing ought that sauou∣red [unspec 10] of humanitie before the time of the warre of Thebes: the briefe whereof is this.

OEdipus the sonne of Laius King of Thebes, hauing beene cast foorth when hee was an infant, because an Oracle foretolde what euill should come to passe by him, did afterwards in a narrow passage contending for the way, slay his owne father, not knowing either then or long after, who hee was. Afterward hee became King of Thebes, by marriage of the Queene 〈◊〉〈◊〉, called by Homer Epicaste: on whom,* 1.1 not knowing her to bee his mother, hee begat two sonnes, Eteocles and Polynices. But when in processe of time, finding out by good circumstances, who were his parents, hee vnderstood the gricuous murther and incest hee had committed, he [unspec 20] tore out his owne eyes for griefe, and left the Citie. His wife and mother did hang her selfe. Some say, that OEdipus hauing his eyes pulled out, was expelled Thebes, bitterly cursing his sonnes, because they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their father to bee cast out of the Towne, and ayded him not. Howsoeuer it were, his two 〈◊〉〈◊〉 made this agreement, that the one of them should reigne one yeere, and the o∣ther another yeere; and so by course rule interchangeably. But this appointment was ill obserued. For when Polynices had after a yeeres Gouernment resigned the Kingdome to his brother: or (according to others) when Eteocles had reigned the first yeere, hee refused to giue ouer the rule to Polynices. Hereupon Polynices fled vnto Argos, where Adrastus the sonne of Talaus then reigned, vnto whose pa∣lace [unspec 30] comming by night, hee was driuen to seeke lodging in an out-house, on the backeside.

There hee met with Tydeus the sonne of OEneus, who was fled from Calydon: with whom striuing about their lodging, hee fell to blowes. Adrastus hearing the noyse, came foorth and tooke vp the quarrell. At which time perceiuing in the shield of Tydeus a Bore, in that of Polynices a Lyon, hee remembred an olde Oracle, by which hee was aduised to giue his two daughters in marriage, to a Lyon and a Bore: and accordingly hee did bestow his daughter Argia vpon Tydeus, and Dei∣pyle vpon Polynices, promising to restore them both to their Countries. To this pur∣pose leuying an armie, and assembling as many valiant Captaines as hee could draw [unspec 40] to follow him, hee was desirous among others to carrie Amphiaraus the sonne of Oicleus a great Soothsayer, and a valiant man, along with him. But Amphiaraus, who is said to haue foreseene all things, knowing well that none of the Captaines should escape, saue onely Adrastus, did both vtterly refuse to bee one in that ex∣pedition, and perswaded others to stay at home. Polynices therefore dealt with E∣riphyle the wife of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, offering vnto her a very faire bracelet, vpon conditi∣on that shee should cause her husband to assist him. The Soothsayer knowing what should worke his destinie, forbad his wife to take any gift of Polynices. But the bracelet was in her eye so precious a iewell, that she could not refuse it. There∣fore whereas a great controuersie, betweene Amphiaraus and Adrastus, was by way [unspec 50] of compromise put vnto the decision of Eryphile, either of them being bound by solemne oath to stand to her appointment: shee ordered the matter so, as a wo∣man should, that loued a bracelet better than her husband. Hee now fin∣ding that it was more easie to foresee than auoide destinie, sought such com∣fort

as reuenge might affoord, giuing in charge to his sonnes, that when they came to full age, they should kill their mother and make strong warre vpon the Thebanes.

Now had Adrastus assembled all his forces, of which, the seuen chiefe leaders were, himselfe, Amphiaraus, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Hippomedon (in steade of whom some name 〈◊〉〈◊〉) all Argiues, with Polynices the Theban, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Aetolian, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Arcadian sonne of Meleager and Atalanta. When the armie came to the Nemaean wood, they met a woman whom they desired to helpe them to some water, she hauing a child in her armes, laid it downe, and led the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to a spring: but ere shee returned, a Serpent had staine the childe. This woman was [unspec 10] Hypsipyle the daughter of Thoas the Lemnian, whom shee would haue saued when the women of the Ile slew all the males by conspiracie, intending to lead an Amazo∣man life. For such her 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the Lemnian wiues did sell her to Pyrates, and the Py∣rates to Lycurgus Lord of the Country about Nemaea, whose yong sonnes Opheltes or Archemorus, she did nurse, and lost as is shewed before. When vpon the childs death shee hid herselfe for feare of her master, Amphiaraus told her sonnes where they should finde her: and the Argiues did both kill the Serpent which had slaine the childe, and in memorie of the chaunce, did institute solemne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 games cal∣led 〈◊〉〈◊〉, wherein Adrastus wanne the prize with his swift horse Arion, Tydeus with whorlebats, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at running and quoiting, Poly nies at wrestling, Par∣thenopaeus [unspec 20] at shooting, and one Laodocus in darting. This was the first institution of the Nemaean games, which continued after famous in Greece for very many ages. There are, who thinke that they were ordained in honour of one Opheltus, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Some say by Hercules, when 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 slaine the Nemaean Lyon: but the common opinion agrees with that which is here set downe.

From 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Argiues marching onwards, arriued at Citheron, whence Tydeus was by them sent Embassadour to Thebes, to require of Eteocles the performance of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 betweene him and Polynices. This message was nothing agreeable to Eteocles, who was throughly resolued to holde what he had, as long 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 could: which Tydaeus perceiuing and intending partly to get honour, partly to trie what [unspec 30] mettle was in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, hee made many challenges, and obtained victorie in all of them, not without much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and malice of the people, who laide 〈◊〉〈◊〉 men in ambush to intercept him at his returne to the armie, of which fiftie hee 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all but one, whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sent backe to the Citie as a reporter and witnesse of his valour. When the Argiues vnderstood how resolued Eteocles was, they presented themselues before the Citie, and incamped round about it. Thebes is said to haue had at that time seuen gates, which belike stoode not farre asunder, seeing that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (who afterward when they were very farre stronger, could 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 vp more thousands then Thebes had gates) did compasse the towne. Adrastus quartered before the gate Homoloides, Capaneus before the Ogygian, Tydeus before [unspec 40] Crenis, Amphiaraus at Proëtis, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at Anchsis, Parthenopaeus at Electra, and Polynices at Hypsista. In the meane season, Eteocles hauing armed his men, and ap∣pointed Commaunders vnto them, tooke aduice of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 esias the Soothsayer, who promised victorie to the Thebans, if 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the sonne of Creon a principall man of the Citie, would vowe himselfe to bee slaine in honour of Mars the God of warre. So full of malice and pride is the Diuell, and so enuious at his Creators glorie, that hee not onely challengeth honours due to God alone, as oblations and sacrifice with all Diuine worship, but commaundeth vs to offer our selues, and our children vnto him, when hee hath sufficiently clowded mens vnderstanding, and bewitched their wils with ignorance and blinde 〈◊〉〈◊〉. And such abomi∣nable [unspec 50] sacrifice of men, maides, and children hath hee exacted of the Syrians, Car∣thaginians, Galles, Germanes, Cyprians, Aegyptians, and of many other, if not of all Na∣tions, when through ignorance or feare they were most filled with superstition. But as they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more wise, so did hee waxe lesse impudent in cunning, though not

lesse malicious in desiring the continuance of such barbarous inhumanitie. For King Diphilus in Cypres without aduice of any Oracle, made the Idoll of that Country 〈◊〉〈◊〉 contented with an Oxe in stead of a man. Tiberius for bad humane sacrifices in Africk, and crucified the Priests in the groues where they had practised them. Hercules taught the Italians to drowne men of hay in stead of the liuing: yet among the sal∣uages in the West Indies these cruell offerings haue been practised of late ages: which as it is a sufficient argument that Satans malice is onely couered and hidden by this subtiltie among ciuill people: so may it serue as a probable Coniecture of the barba∣rismes then reigning in Greece. For Menaecius, as soone as he vnderstood that his death might purchase victorie to his people, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 himselfe (as he thought) vpon Mars, [unspec 10] killing himselfe before the gates of the Citie. Then was a battaile fought, wherein the Argiues preuailed so farre at the first, that Capaneus aduancing ladders to the walls, got vp vpon the rampart: whence, when he fell or was cast downe, or (as writers haue it) was stricken downe by Iupiter with a thunder-bolt, the Argiues fled. Many on each part were slaine in this battell, which caused both sides to desire that Eteocles and Po∣lynices might trie out the quarrell in single fight: whereto the two brethren according, slew 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other.

Another battel was fought after their death, wherein the sonnes of Astacus behaued themselues very valiantly: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one of the sonnes slewe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which was one of the seuen Princes: Parthenopaeus being another of the seuen (who [unspec 20] was saide to haue beene so faire that none would hurt him when his face was bare) was slaine by Amphidicus, or as some say, by Periclymenus the sonne of Neptune: and the valiant Tydeus by 〈◊〉〈◊〉: yet ere Tydeus died, the head of Menalippus was brought vnto him by Amphiaraus, which hee cruely tore open and swallowed vp the braines. Vpon which fact, it is said, that Pallas, who had brought from Iupiter such remedie for his wound, as should haue made him immortall, refused to be∣stow it vpon him: whereby perhaps was meant that his honour which might haue continued immortall, did perish through the beastly rage that hee shewed at his death.

The hoast of the Argiues being wholly discomfited, Adrastus and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 [unspec 30] fledde: of whom Amphiaraus is said to haue been swallowed quicke into the earth, neere to the riuer Ismenus, together with his Chariot, and so lost out of mens sight, being peraduenture ouerwhelmed with dead carkasses or drowned in the riuer: and his bodie neuer found nor greatly sought for. Adrastus escaped on his good horse Arion, and came to Athens; where sitting at an Altar called the Altar of Mercie, hee made supplication for their aide to recouer their bodies. For Creon hauing obtained the Gouernment of Thebes, after the death of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, would not suffer the bodies of the Argiues to be buried: but caused Antigone, the only daugh∣ter then liuing of OEdipus, to bee buried quicke, because shee had sought out and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the bodie of her brother Polynices, contrary to Creons Edict. The Athenians [unspec 40] condescending to the request of Adrastus, did send foorth an armie vnder the Con∣duct of Theseus, which tooke Thebes, and restored the bodies of the Argiues to Se∣pulture: at which time Euadne the wife of Capaneus, threw herselfe into the funerall fire, and was burnt willingly with her husband. But it little contented the sonnes of those Captaines which were slaine at Thebes, that any lesse reuenge should bee ta∣ken of their fathers death, than the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Citie: wherefore tenne yeeres after hauing leuied forces, Aegialeus the sonne of Adrastus, Diomedes of Tydeus, Promachus of Parthenopaeus, Sthenelus of Capaneus, Thersander of Polynices, and Euripylus of Me∣cisteus, marched thither vnder the conduct of Alcmaeon the sonne of Amphiaraus: with whom also went his brother Amphiloctus. Apollo promised victorie if Alcmae∣on [unspec 50] were their Captaine, whom afterward by another Oracle he commaunded to kill his owne mother.

When they came to the citie, they were inconntred by Laodamas the son of Eteocles then King of the Thebanes, (for Creon was only Tutor to Laodamas) who though hee

did valiantly in the battaile, and slue Aegialeus, yet was he put to the worst, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to flie, or (according to Apollodorus) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by Alcmaeon. After this disaster the citi∣zens began to desire composition; but in the meane time they conuayed themselues with their wiues and children away from thence by night, and so began to wander vp and downe, till at length they built the Towne called Estiaea. The 〈◊〉〈◊〉, when they perceiued that their enemies had quitted the Towne, entring into it, sacked it, threw downe the walls, and layd it waste; howbeit it is reported by some that the Towne was saued by Thirsander, the sonne of Polynices, who causing the Citizens to returne, did there raigne ouer them. That hee saued the Citie from vtter destru∣ction, it is very likely, for hee reigned there, and led the Thebanes to the Warre of [unspec 10] Troy, which very shortly after ensued.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hom. Odyss. 11.