Eriphyle

Thersander gave Eriphyle the Robe of Harmonia, hoping to secure her help. Ten years after the first expedition against Thebes, the sons of the fallen heroes, called the Epigoni, prepared a second attack. The Delphic oracle appointed Alcmaeon, son of Amphiaraus, as their commander. Alcmaeon hesitated, since his father had ordered him to avenge his death by killing Eriphyle before marching against Thebes again. Eriphyle accepted Thersander’s bribe and persuaded Alcmaeon and his brother Amphilochus to join the expedition.

The Epigoni attacked Thebes. Aegialeus, son of Adrastus, was killed by Laodamas, son of Eteocles. Alcmaeon then killed Laodamas. The Thebans were defeated, and Tiresias advised them to send a herald to discuss surrender while their women and children escaped by night. Tiresias fled with them and died soon afterwards at the spring of Tilphussa. The refugees founded Hestiaea. The Epigoni entered the deserted city, plundered it and demolished its walls. They gave the throne of Thebes to Thersander before returning to Argos.

After the capture of Thebes, Alcmaeon learned that Eriphyle had been bribed with the robe. In this account, he returned and killed his mother. The Erinyes pursued him across Greece. He reached the court of King Phegeus at Psophis, where the king purified him and gave him his daughter Arsinoe, also called Alphesiboea, in marriage. Alcmaeon gave her the Robe and Necklace of Harmonia as wedding gifts.

Driven almost mad, Alcmaeon consulted an oracle about escaping the Erinyes. Psophis became barren because of his crime, and the oracle directed him to the springs of Achelous. The river god purified him there. Alcmaeon then married Callirrhoe, Achelous’s daughter. She refused to live with him unless he obtained the Robe and Necklace of Harmonia, which remained with Arsinoe.

Ten years after the first Theban war, the sons of the slain heroes, called the Epigoni, gathered to avenge their fathers. The Delphic oracle assigned command to Alcmaeon, son of Amphiaraus. He remembered his father’s order that he and his brother Amphilochus should punish Eriphyle, whose bribery had sent Amphiaraus to his death. Alcmaeon therefore hesitated to lead the new expedition before carrying out this revenge.

Thersander, son of Polynices, followed his father’s example. He bribed Eriphyle with the beautiful veil of Harmonia, which Polynices had left to him. In return, she urged Alcmaeon and Amphilochus to join the war. She had already accepted the Necklace of Harmonia from Polynices, and now accepted the veil as well. Alcmaeon yielded to her persuasion and took part in the expedition. The Thebans were defeated. Alcmaeon killed Laodamas, son of Eteocles, while Aegialeus, son of Adrastus, was killed by Laodamas.

After the capture of Thebes, Alcmaeon learned that Eriphyle had accepted a bribe that affected him as well as his father. His anger increased, and, in obedience to an oracle from Apollo, he killed his mother. He then took the necklace and veil and left his ancestral home. The Erinyes pursued him for the murder, and madness overcame him. He fled through Greece, going first to Oicles in Arcadia and then to Phegeus, king of Psophis. Phegeus purified Alcmaeon and gave him his daughter Arsinoe in marriage. Alcmaeon presented Arsinoe with the Necklace and Robe of Harmonia. Later, the land became barren because of his presence. An oracle instructed him to leave and go to Achelous, to receive land that the Sun had not yet seen.