Επτά επί Θήβας

by Aeschylus

"Επτά επί Θήβας" by Aeschylus is a tragedy produced in 467 BC. The play depicts the siege of Thebes by an Argive army led by seven champions, including Polynices, who seeks to claim his rightful turn at ruling the city. His brother Eteocles defends Thebes after refusing to relinquish power. As commanders are assigned to each of the city's seven gates, the brothers discover they must face each other in battle—fulfilling their father Oedipus's curse that they would divide their inheritance by the sword.