Creon

Also known as: CE. / CR. / CREON · Family: Thebes · Role: father of Megareus · First appears: Aeschylus, The Seven Who Fought Against Thebes — Scene 3

After Eteocles and Polynices die, Creon succeeds to the chief power at Thebes and forbids the burial of Polynices. Antigone defies the edict and confesses before him; Creon releases the Watchman, but declares that even kin will not escape death. He spares Ismene, condemns Antigone, and tells Haemon that she will not live to be his wife. When Haemon breaks from him in anger, Creon orders Antigone sealed alive in a tomb.

Tiresias warns that Thebes is polluted because Polynices remains unburied and Antigone is entombed, and foretells that Creon will lose someone of his own blood. Creon first refuses to yield, then orders Antigone released and Polynices buried, overseeing the cleansing, burning, and burial of the body. Haemon dies, and Eurydice kills herself after hearing of it; Creon accepts responsibility, saying, “I slew thee--I, O misery! I say the truth, 'twas I!”

In the events surrounding Oedipus, Creon serves as Jocasta’s brother and Oedipus’ brother-in-law. He brings Apollo’s command to purge Thebes of the murderer of Laius, later becomes regent in Oedipus’ place, delays his exile until Apollo is consulted, and brings Oedipus’ children to him. Afterwards, with the consent of Eteocles and Polynices, he banishes Oedipus; he also helps Eteocles banish Polynices and later attempts to bring Oedipus under Theban control. At Colonus, he seizes Antigone and Ismene, but Theseus orders their recovery and compels Creon to guide the pursuit.

Creon is the father of Megareus, Haemon, Megara, Menoeceus, and Glauce in the supplied accounts, and the husband of Eurydice. He refuses to sacrifice Menoeceus for Thebes and orders him to flee, but Menoeceus secretly chooses death for the city. He orders Antigone to leave rather than marry Haemon, and in Corinth intends to banish Medea and her children, granting her one additional day. Medea’s poisoned gifts kill Glauce, and Creon dies while embracing his daughter; later, Lycus (the younger) kills him and seizes the throne of Thebes.