The Seven Against Thebes

The Seven Against Thebes is a tragedy play by Aeschylus one of the greatest ancient Greek playwrights. It was first performed in 467 BC at the City Dionysia festival in Athens. The play tells the story of two brothers Eteocles and Polyneices who are fighting for the throne of Thebes. Eteocles has the support of the city and the army while Polyneices has been exiled and seeks to return with a force of seven champions to take the throne. The seven champions known as the Seven Against Thebes are each assigned a gate of the city to attack. They are Amphiaraus Capaneus Eteoclus Hippomedon Parthenopaeus Polynices and Tydeus. The play focuses on the conflict between the brothers their struggle for power and the tragic consequences of their actions. In the end the two brothers engage in a fierce battle resulting in their deaths. Eteocles and Polyneices kill each other and the city is left in a state of mourning. The play ends with the chorus lamenting the destruction and loss of life caused by the conflict. The Seven Against Thebes is a powerful and tragic play that explores themes of power family and loyalty. It is an important work in the canon of Greek tragedy and remains a popular and studied play to this day.