Amphiaraus and Eriphyle
The seer Amphiaraus knows the war against Thebes will end in disaster, but Eriphyle's decision forces him to join the expedition.
The Story
Amphiaraus was both warrior and prophet.
When Polynices sought help in recovering Thebes, Amphiaraus foresaw that the expedition would fail.
He did not want to join.
But Amphiaraus and Adrastus had previously agreed that disputes between them would be settled by Eriphyle, wife of Amphiaraus and sister of Adrastus.
Polynices possessed the famous necklace of Harmonia.
He offered the necklace to Eriphyle.
Eriphyle accepted the gift.
She ruled that Amphiaraus must take part in the expedition.
The seer obeyed, despite knowing that most of the leaders would die.
Before leaving, he instructed his sons to remember what Eriphyle had done.
At Thebes the prophecy came true.
The attack failed.
As Amphiaraus fled from the battlefield, Zeus opened the earth beneath him.
Amphiaraus disappeared into the ground and later became honoured as a prophetic hero.
The tragedy did not end there.
The betrayal of Eriphyle would pass into the next generation through her son Alcmaeon.
Key Figures
Why It Matters
The story explains why the prophetic Amphiaraus joins a war he knows is doomed and sets up the later Epigoni and Alcmaeon traditions.
Traditions & Variations
Ancient accounts differ in some details of the agreement involving Eriphyle and the exact circumstances of Amphiaraus' disappearance.