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The setting of the play, Oedipus' hometown, the Sphinx's favorite dining establishment, and the location of the pestilence are what Thebes is in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).

Specifically, Thebes is the birthplace of Theban monarchs Oedipus and Jocasta and of their four children. It also is the birthplace of Jocasta's first husband Laius and of her brother Creon. Additionally, it is the location of two punishments from the gods. The first divine punishment takes the shape of the Sphinx, who gets to ask a seemingly impossible riddle and then kill and eat all Thebans who are clueless as to the correct answer. The second divine punishment takes the shape of the pestilence which will kill all of Thebes if Oedipus does not identify and punish with execution or exile the guilty in Laius' murder.

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13y ago

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