Epigoni

Ten years after the failed expedition of the Seven Against Thebes, the sons of the fallen heroes, known as the Epigoni, set out to avenge their fathers. The Delphic oracle advised that Alcmaeon, son of Amphiaraus, should command them. Alcmaeon hesitated because his father had ordered him to take vengeance on his mother, Eriphyle, before joining a second war against Thebes. Thersander, son of Polynices, persuaded Eriphyle to support the expedition by giving her the Robe of Harmonia, which he had inherited from his father. She then urged Alcmaeon and his brother Amphilochus to take part, and Alcmaeon yielded to her influence.

The Epigoni marched against Thebes with Alcmaeon as their commander. Aegialeus, son of Adrastus, was killed by Laodamas, son of Eteocles. Alcmaeon then killed Laodamas. The Thebans were defeated, and their position became hopeless. Tiresias advised them to send a herald to discuss surrender with the Epigoni. While the herald went to them, the Thebans secretly loaded their women and children onto wagons and left the city during the night.

Tiresias fled with the other Thebans. After they reached the spring called Tilphussa, he died. The refugees later founded the city of Hestiaea and settled there. The Epigoni entered the abandoned Thebes, plundered it, and levelled its walls. Most of the Argive commanders returned to their own countries with their share of the booty. They gave the Theban throne to Thersander, son of Polynices.

The account also connects the war with Eriphyle’s earlier bribery. Polynices had previously given her the Necklace of Harmonia, which led to her husband Amphiaraus joining the first war despite knowing that he would not return. In one variant, after Thebes was captured, Alcmaeon learned that Thersander had bribed Eriphyle with the Robe of Harmonia. Enraged, he killed his mother when he returned.