Eteoklēs (English spelling)

He is the son of Greek mythological heroes Oedipus and Jocasta. After banishing his father from Thebes, he competed with his brother Polyneices for his father's throne, and became the first king under the promise that they would rule the country in turns for one year. However, Polyneices did not keep his promise and did not hand over the throne even after a year had passed, so Polyneices, angry, fled to Argos and attacked Thebes with the local heroes. In the end, Eteocles and Polyneices fought a duel between brothers, and both died in a mutual death. However, according to the customs of the country, even though King Eteocles was buried, the funeral of his enemy Polyneices was not held. Therefore, Antigone, who broke the law and mourned her brother, was punished by her uncle, the regent Creon, and committed suicide. Creon's son and her fiancé Haemon, and Creon's wife Eurydice, who were saddened by this, followed him.

[Masahiro Ogawa]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ギリシア神話の英雄オイディプスとイオカステの子。父親をテバイ（テーベ）から追放したのち、兄弟のポリネイケスと父の王位を争い、1年交代で国を治めるという約束で最初の王となった。しかし彼は約束を守らず、1年たっても王位を渡さなかったので、怒ったポリネイケスはアルゴスに逃れ、その地の英雄たちを引き連れてテバイを攻めた。最後はエテオクレスとポリネイケスとの兄弟同士の決闘となり、相討ちでともに果てた。しかし国の慣習により、王エテオクレスは埋葬されても、敵のポリネイケスの葬儀は行われなかった。そのため、禁を犯して兄を弔った妹のアンティゴネは、伯父である摂政(せっしょう)のクレオンにより罰せられて自殺した。そしてこれを悲しんだクレオンの息子で彼女の婚約者ハイモンと、クレオンの妻エウリディケも、ともにあとを追った。

［小川正広］

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