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Yes, Oedipus and Athens are linked. They're linked in the living of his life by Oedipus. Oedipus was exiled from his home town of Thebes. He ended up dying in Colonus, which was under the protection of Athens. He died a good death after having lived a miserable exile. That happy death was due in part to the friendship of Athenian King Theseus.

Oedipus and Athens also are linked in the telling of his life by Sophocles [c. 496 B.C.E. - c. 406 B.C.E.]. Sophocles was born in Colonus, where Oedipus died. Oedipus' death was predicted to bring as much good luck to Colonus, as it had brought bad luck to Thebes. Sophocles spent much of his life in and about Athens, which was in many ways the 'New York City' of ancient Greece. In fact, he became known as an Athenianplaywright.

Some think that the Oedipus stories are made up. One reason for so thinking is the lack of the story's telling anywhere but in the literature of ancient Greece. But it's interesting that the story's main teller was from Colonus and lived in Athens. With Corinth and Thebes, the two cities make up the four places that most are associated with Oedipus' name in ancient Greece. And they're the most important, because of their role in giving final honors to a noble king who had become an abomination in his own opinion and according to the consensus of others.

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Q: Is there a link between Oedipus and Athens?
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Where was 'Oedipus Rex' written?

Athens is where Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.) wrote "Oedipus Rex."Specifically, the ancient Greek dramatist was born in Colonus, Theban King Oedipus' death place. But Sophocles spent his adult life in nearby Athens, which was a cultural, economic and political center in ancient Greece. It was in his adopted city of Athens that Sophocles wrote his three plays on the life and times of Oedipus and of Oedipus' children.


What sort of reception does Oedipus expect and receive when he first arrives outside Athens in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That he is made to feel unwelcome is the sort of reception that Oedipus expects and indeed receives when he first arrives outside Athens in "Oedipus at Colonus" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, people consider disgraced Theban King Oedipus an abomination to be avoided and shunned. He is preceded by his reputation as his father's killer and his mother's husband. The villagers outside Athens treat him badly until Athenian King Theseus steps in as Oedipus' protector.


What is the status of Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex' and 'Oedipus at Colonus'?

From respected royal to blind prisoner and then from blind exile to lucky spirit is the Oedipus' respective status in "Oedipus Rex" and "Oedipus at Colonus" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus begins with the status of king. But by the end of the play, he loses it all to become a blind prisoner under house arrest in Thebes. Between the two plays, the gods punish Oedipus with exile. At the beginning of "Oedipus at Colonus" he moves as a blind exile to the area of Athens. But his status rises when he disappears as a luck bearing spirit.


What happen to Oedipus?

Oedipus's father was told that Oedipus would kill him, so he sent the boy away at birth. Oedipus knew about the prophecy and that he was from Athens, so when he wanted to visit his homeland, he went to Corinth to avoid killing his father. His father heard that he was coming to Greece and thought that he was coming to kill him, so he went to Corinth. Oedipus attempted the discus in Corinth and killed a man in the crowd (his father). He then went to Athens, fell in love with his mother, married her, found out, and stabbed out his eyes. Alternate version: he met his father at a crossroads, argued, and killed him before going on to Athens.


For what reason and to what places do Oedipus and Antigone travel after 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is to the areas outside Thebes, Athens and Colonus that Oedipus and Antigone travel during Oedipus' exile after "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus loses his reputation, job and home for committing serious albeit unknowing offenses against the gods and mortals. He is punished with exile instead of execution. He is allowed to take at least his elder daughter, Princess Antigone, with him during the years of exile outside Thebes, Athens and Colonus. It is in a secret area outside the latter that Oedipus finally dies and from which Antigone returns to Thebes.

Related questions

Where was 'Oedipus Rex' written?

Athens is where Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.) wrote "Oedipus Rex."Specifically, the ancient Greek dramatist was born in Colonus, Theban King Oedipus' death place. But Sophocles spent his adult life in nearby Athens, which was a cultural, economic and political center in ancient Greece. It was in his adopted city of Athens that Sophocles wrote his three plays on the life and times of Oedipus and of Oedipus' children.


What sort of reception does Oedipus expect and receive when he first arrives outside Athens in 'Oedipus Rex'?

That he is made to feel unwelcome is the sort of reception that Oedipus expects and indeed receives when he first arrives outside Athens in "Oedipus at Colonus" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, people consider disgraced Theban King Oedipus an abomination to be avoided and shunned. He is preceded by his reputation as his father's killer and his mother's husband. The villagers outside Athens treat him badly until Athenian King Theseus steps in as Oedipus' protector.


What was one play that was written in ancient Athens?

By Sophocles: 'Antigone' and 'King Oedipus'.


What are the places to which Oedipus and Antigone travel during Oedipus' exile?

In the area around Thebes, Athens and Colonus are the places where Oedipus and Antigone travel after "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the play "Oedipus Rex" ends with the audience not knowing whether disgraced Theban King Oedipus will be executed or exiled or whether he will have the company of his children if his punishment is exile. Between that play's end and the beginning of "Oedipus at Colonus," Oedipus' life is spared, but must be spent in exile. He is accompanied by his elder daughter, Princess Antigone, and possibly by his younger daughter, Princess Ismene. The last part of the exile is spent in the area of Athens, near to which is Colonus. It is at some secret place near the latter that Oedipus dies and from which Antigone returns to Thebes.


What is the status of Oedipus in 'Oedipus Rex' and 'Oedipus at Colonus'?

From respected royal to blind prisoner and then from blind exile to lucky spirit is the Oedipus' respective status in "Oedipus Rex" and "Oedipus at Colonus" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus begins with the status of king. But by the end of the play, he loses it all to become a blind prisoner under house arrest in Thebes. Between the two plays, the gods punish Oedipus with exile. At the beginning of "Oedipus at Colonus" he moves as a blind exile to the area of Athens. But his status rises when he disappears as a luck bearing spirit.


What action did Oedipus take regarding his mother?

After Oedipus and his mother discovered the truth that Oedipus had married and had children with his mother, she hanged herself and he blinded himself with two pins from her dress and was exiled to Athens.


What happened last Oedipus frees Thebes from sphinx or Oedipus is left in the wilderness to die?

He is forced to leave thebes and dies at colonus near athens


What happen to Oedipus?

Oedipus's father was told that Oedipus would kill him, so he sent the boy away at birth. Oedipus knew about the prophecy and that he was from Athens, so when he wanted to visit his homeland, he went to Corinth to avoid killing his father. His father heard that he was coming to Greece and thought that he was coming to kill him, so he went to Corinth. Oedipus attempted the discus in Corinth and killed a man in the crowd (his father). He then went to Athens, fell in love with his mother, married her, found out, and stabbed out his eyes. Alternate version: he met his father at a crossroads, argued, and killed him before going on to Athens.


Who is the audience for whom 'Oedipus Rex' is written?

Educated Athenians was the audience for which which "Oedipus Rex" was written by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, the ancient Greek dramatist lived in Athens. He oriented his plays to appeal to educated, intelligent, moneyed theater goers in Athens. He wrote about Oedipus because of the Theban king's death place being near Athens and conferring luck on Athenians.


What does Theseus do for Oedipus in 'Oedipus at Colonus'?

Protect him and his daughters from Thebans and escort him to his death place are what Theseus does for Oedipus in "Oedipus at Colonus" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, disgraced King Oedipus ends up just outside Athens after years in exile from his Theban hometown. According to the Delphic oracle, Oedipus is a good luck charm to wherever he dies. Creon, Oedipus' brother-in-law and former royal colleague, and Eteocles, Oedipus' own son, attempt to separate Oedipus from his daughters, the Princesses Antigone and Ismene, and to force Oedipus to be buried in an unmarked grave that will bring good fortune to Thebes. But Theseus asserts his authority and power as King of Athens and as Oedipus' protector and thereby receives the good fortune inherent in being the only person to know how and where Oedipus dies.


What language is used in Oedipus prologue?

Greek was the ancient language in which "Oedipus Rex" was written.Specifically, the particular kind of Greek was that of Athens. The play's author, Sophocles (406 B.C.E. - 406 B.C.E.), was educated, set up a home, and held down a job in Athens. But he was originally from Colonus, which was where King Oedipus died.


For what reason and to what places do Oedipus and Antigone travel after 'Oedipus Rex'?

It is to the areas outside Thebes, Athens and Colonus that Oedipus and Antigone travel during Oedipus' exile after "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus loses his reputation, job and home for committing serious albeit unknowing offenses against the gods and mortals. He is punished with exile instead of execution. He is allowed to take at least his elder daughter, Princess Antigone, with him during the years of exile outside Thebes, Athens and Colonus. It is in a secret area outside the latter that Oedipus finally dies and from which Antigone returns to Thebes.