The Virtues of Antigone

Apulian red figure amphora. Antigone, second from left with bound hands, is led to prison and death. ,Vase about 350-340 BCE. Berlin Altes Museum. Photo: ArchaiOptix, Wikipedia.

Antigone was the daughter of Oedipus, King of Thebes. After the dramatic end and disappearance of her father who had blinded himself, her uncle Creon succeeded to the throne. Antigone’s two brothers, Polynices and Eteocles, fought and killed each other. Creon issued an order forbidding the burial of Polynices because he fought against Thebes.