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Eteocles and Polynices had killed each other in battle. According to their pact, each son was supposed to rule the kingdom for a year. Eteocles refused and Polynices attacked the city, resulting in both of them being killed. Creon, Jocasta's brother became the next king.

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15y ago
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14y ago

Twin brothers Eteocles and Polyneices kill each other, because their co-rule sounds good on paper but doesn't workin the real work. They inherit the throne of Thebes with the downfall of their disgraced father, Theban King Oedipus. They initially agree to a power sharing arrangement whereby they alternate years of rule. But at the end of his first year of rule, Eteocles refuses to give up the throne for Polyneices' year. In fact, he banishes his brother from their hometown.

Polyneices goes to Argos where he marries into the royal house. As a member of the royal family, he then persuades his father-in-law, King Adrastus, to support an invasion of Thebes to take by force what is his by right. The joint army of invading Argives and discontented Thebans swarm the seven gates of Thebes. But the Thebans end up victorious, and the two brothers end up killing each other in single, armed combat.

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14y ago

The right to the Theban throne is why Antigone's brothers fight. Eteocles and Polyneices are twins. So they both have rights to the throne that's vacated by their father and half-brother, Theban King Oedipus.

The brothers are supposed to alternate years in a joint power sharing arrangement. Eteocles gets to occupy the throne first. But he refuses to give the throne up once his year his over. He even forces Polyneices into exile.

Polyneices marries the daughter of the King of Argos. He thereby gets the Argive troops to invade Thebes in an attempt to assert his royal rights by force. The two brothers end up fighting, and killing each other, right outside their hometown of Thebes.

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14y ago

Antigone was sentenced to death for having violated the special decree of her uncle, Theban King Creon. The decree allowed the burial of the loyal Theban dead from the recent armed struggle against the Argive invaders. It disallowed the burial of the disloyal Theban dead. Among the disloyal Theban dead was Antigone's brother Polyneices. The non-burial was in direct defiance of the god-given justice, morality, rites, rituals and traditions by which Thebans lived their lives and prepared for their deaths. Antigone respected her brother as a mortal who deserved his right to proper preparation for entrance into the realm of the underworld god. So she chose to carry out the proper funerary procedure for his body. The sentence was death by stoning. The King changed the sentence to death by being walled up in a remote cave. Antigone hanged herself shortly after the entrance to the cave was walled up.

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12y ago

That they fight over the throne is why Antigone's brothers kill each other in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Eteocles and Polyneices inherit the Theban throne on a joint power sharing arrangement whereby they alternate years of occupying the throne. Eteocles is first to hold the royal powers. He then refuses to honor Polyneices' turn and even exiles him. These actions start up the civil war over the Theban royal succession, at the last battle of which the twin brothers kill each other.

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12y ago

Because of his cursed descent from Cadmus, Polydorus, Labdacus and Oedipus; and because he receives a fatal woundduring the recent civil war, Antigone's brother dies in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Polyneices is Oedipus' son, Labdacus' great-grandson, Polydorus' great-great-grandson and Cadmus' great-great-great-grandson. Cadmus is cursed by Athena the goddess of wisdom. Polydorus and Labdacus are cursed bytheir cousin, Dionysos the wine god. Oedipus is cursed by them all.

To these cumulative divine curses, Theban King Oedipus adds his own curse to his twin sons, Eteocles and Polyneices. It is the combination of the divine and mortal curses and of a duel during the recent civil war over the royal succession that Polyneices is killed while killing his brother Eteocles.

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12y ago

She did not kill her brother.

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Q: Why do Antigone's brothers kill each other in 'Antigone'?
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Which of Antigone's brothers does Creon kill in 'Antigone'?

Neither one of Antigone's brothers is killed by Creon in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone has two twin brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices. Her brothers kill each other in the final battle of the first civil war over the Theban royal succession. Her uncle Creon supports Eteocles but is not involved in the final duel between the brothers.


Who are the two brothers of Antigone?

The two brothers of Antigone are Eteocles and Polyneices. Although the play 'Antigone' doesn't say so, the brothers are also twins. They power-share the throne following the disgrace of their father, Theban King Oedipus. At a certain point, the two disagree. Eteocles remains loyal to Thebes. But Polyneices takes up arms with invaders from Argos. The two end up killing each other in the bloody battle that ensues.


What happens to Antigone's family?

That her mother and she each commit suicide, her father dies a special death and her brothers kill each other is what happens to Antigone's family.Specifically, ancient Greek dramatist Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.) explains that Theban Queen Jocasta, Princess Antigone's mother and grandmother, hangs herself during the course of the play "Oedipus Rex." Disgraced King Oedipus, Antigone's father and half-brother, is there one minute and gone the next in a secret place of death outside the ancient Greek city of Athens in Sophocles' play "Oedipus at Colonus." Antigone's twin brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices, kill each other in the final battle of a civil war over the Theban royal succession just before the opening scene of Sophocles' play "Antigone." It is unknown what happens to Princess Ismene, but other sources suggest that she dies during the civil war that ends with her brothers' deaths.


What happens to Antigone's two brothers in 'Antigone'?

Death in a duel is what happens to Antigone's two brothers in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Eteocles and Polyneices are the older, twin brothers of Theban Princesses Antigone and Ismene. They inherit the Theban throne after the disgrace of their father, former King Oedipus. They are supposed to share the royal powers by alternating years of rule. But Eteocles refuses to hand over the crown when his year is up and even exiles Polyneices. Polyneices leads an army of disgruntled Thebans and invading Argives and storms Thebes. The two brothers kill each other in a duel during the final battle of the civil war over the royal succession.


What is the punishment for Antigone's brothers in 'Antigone'?

That they do not rule harmoniously and that they kill each other are the punishments for Antigone's brothers in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone's twin brothers Eteocles and Polyneices inherit the Theban crown and throne from their parents, disgraced Theban monarchs Oedipus and Jocasta. The brothers expect to alternate years of rule in a joint power sharing arrangement. But Eteocles does not give up the royal powers at the end of the first year. The brothers decide to fight when Eteocles exiles Polyneices and he and his uncle Creon indicate that they never will recognize Polyneices' legitimate claim. During the final battle of the first civil war over the Theban royal succession, the brothers become engaged in a bloody duel that ends in both their deaths. They are cursed, and their discordant years between Oedipus' overthrow and their deaths are true to that curse.

Related questions

Which of Antigone's brothers does Creon kill in 'Antigone'?

Neither one of Antigone's brothers is killed by Creon in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone has two twin brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices. Her brothers kill each other in the final battle of the first civil war over the Theban royal succession. Her uncle Creon supports Eteocles but is not involved in the final duel between the brothers.


What does Antigone mean when she talks about each brother dismissing the other in 'Antigone'?

That they kill each other is what Antigone means when she talks about each brother dismissing the other in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, twin brothers Eteocles and Polyneices are supposed to alternate years of rule in a joint power sharing arrangement. But Eteocles does not hand the royal power over when his year is ended. He even exiles his brother from their hometown of Thebes. Polyneices fights for his legitimate claim by raising an army of disgruntled Thebans and invading Argives. The two brothers meet during the last battle of the civil war over the Theban royal succession. Each brother runs his sword through the other and then dies.


Who are the two brothers of Antigone?

The two brothers of Antigone are Eteocles and Polyneices. Although the play 'Antigone' doesn't say so, the brothers are also twins. They power-share the throne following the disgrace of their father, Theban King Oedipus. At a certain point, the two disagree. Eteocles remains loyal to Thebes. But Polyneices takes up arms with invaders from Argos. The two end up killing each other in the bloody battle that ensues.


What happens to Antigone's family?

That her mother and she each commit suicide, her father dies a special death and her brothers kill each other is what happens to Antigone's family.Specifically, ancient Greek dramatist Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.) explains that Theban Queen Jocasta, Princess Antigone's mother and grandmother, hangs herself during the course of the play "Oedipus Rex." Disgraced King Oedipus, Antigone's father and half-brother, is there one minute and gone the next in a secret place of death outside the ancient Greek city of Athens in Sophocles' play "Oedipus at Colonus." Antigone's twin brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices, kill each other in the final battle of a civil war over the Theban royal succession just before the opening scene of Sophocles' play "Antigone." It is unknown what happens to Princess Ismene, but other sources suggest that she dies during the civil war that ends with her brothers' deaths.


Where do Eteocles and Polyneices kill each other in antigone?

Thebes.


What happens to Antigone's two brothers in 'Antigone'?

Death in a duel is what happens to Antigone's two brothers in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Eteocles and Polyneices are the older, twin brothers of Theban Princesses Antigone and Ismene. They inherit the Theban throne after the disgrace of their father, former King Oedipus. They are supposed to share the royal powers by alternating years of rule. But Eteocles refuses to hand over the crown when his year is up and even exiles Polyneices. Polyneices leads an army of disgruntled Thebans and invading Argives and storms Thebes. The two brothers kill each other in a duel during the final battle of the civil war over the royal succession.


What is the punishment for Antigone's brothers in 'Antigone'?

That they do not rule harmoniously and that they kill each other are the punishments for Antigone's brothers in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Antigone's twin brothers Eteocles and Polyneices inherit the Theban crown and throne from their parents, disgraced Theban monarchs Oedipus and Jocasta. The brothers expect to alternate years of rule in a joint power sharing arrangement. But Eteocles does not give up the royal powers at the end of the first year. The brothers decide to fight when Eteocles exiles Polyneices and he and his uncle Creon indicate that they never will recognize Polyneices' legitimate claim. During the final battle of the first civil war over the Theban royal succession, the brothers become engaged in a bloody duel that ends in both their deaths. They are cursed, and their discordant years between Oedipus' overthrow and their deaths are true to that curse.


What were the names of Antigone's sister and two brothers?

Antigone's sister was named Ismene. Antigone's brothers were named Eteocles and Polyneices. The brothers were twins. They succeeded their father, Theban King Oedipus, as rulers of Thebes. They were supposed to cooperate on a royal power-sharing arrangement. But Eteocles took the first turn as monarch. When the allotted time was up, he refused to give up the throne. He even had Polyneices banished from Thebes. Polyneices came back with a combined force of invading Argives and discontented Thebans. The two brothers ended up killing each other on the battlefield.


What members of Antigone's family precede her in death in 'Antigone'?

Her mother, father and two brothers are the family members who precede Antigone in death in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Queen Jocasta hangs herself in "Oedipus Rex." King Oedipus is there one minute, gone the next in "Oedipus at Colonus." Between "Oedipus at Colonus" and "Antigone," twin brothers Eteocles and Polyneices kill each other during the final battle in the civil war over the royal succession. Additionally, Princess Ismene also may precede her sister in death: variant versions and other sources say that Ismene is killed during the civil war, and Antigone does make a statement about being the only survivor from Oedipus' family in "Antigone."


Who refuses to help Antigone bury the body in 'Antigone'?

Ismene refuses to help Antigone bury the body in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban Princess Ismene is the younger sister of Princess Antigone and of twin brothers Eteocles and Polyneices. Eteocles and Polyneices kill each other, and Eteocles receives a below-ground burial and proper funeral rites, both of which are denied to Polyneices. Antigone wants to bury Polyneices and will have to do so alone since Ismene refuses to help.


Who is Antigone's dead brother in 'Antigone'?

Eteocles and Polyneices are Antigone's dead brothers in "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Eteocles and Polyneices are the eldest of the four children of disgraced Theban monarchs Oedipus and Jocasta. They are twin brothers, of whom Eteocles is the elder. They end up killing each during the last, decisive battle in the recent civil war over the Theban royal succession.


Who kills each other in 'Antigone'?

Twin brothers Eteocles and Polyneices kill each other in the play "Antigone" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Eteocles and Polyneices are the joint heirs to the throne of Thebes after their father Theban King Oedipus loses the job. They agree to a power-sharing arrangement whereby they alternate years on the throne. At the end of the first year, Eteocles refuses to give up the throne and exiles Polyneices. Polyneices gathers together disgruntled Thebans and supportive Argives to invade Thebes. During the battle, the brothers kill each other in a sword fight to the death.