Labdacus

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In Greek mythology, Labdacus was the only son of Polydorus and a king of Thebes. Labdacus was a grandson of Thebes' founder, Cadmus. His mother was Nycteis, daughter of Nycteus. Polydorus died while Labdacus was a young child, leaving Nycteus as his regent, although Lycus soon replaced him in that office. [1] When Labdacus had grown, he ruled Thebes for a short time. He died while he was still young, after he lost a war with the king of Athens, Pandion, over their borders.[2] Apollodorus writes that he, like his nephew Pentheus, was ripped apart by women in a bacchic frenzy for disrespect to the god Dionysus.[3] Lycus became regent once more after his death, this time for Labdacus' son, Laius. His descendants were called Labdacids, and included Oedipus, Laius, Antigone, Polynices, Eteocles and Ismene.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Pausanius. Description of Greece, 9.5.4.
  2. ^ Tripp, Edward. Crowell's Handbook of Classical Mythology. New York: Thomas Crowell Company, 1970, p. 335.
  3. ^ Apollodorus. The Library, 3.5.5.
Preceded by
Lycus		 Mythical King of Thebes Succeeded by
Lycus