Glossary

The play Oedipus the King by Sophocles might present some difficulty for the reader who is not familiar with Greek mythology and the culture of Ancient Greece. Therefore, we offer you a glossary of some of the terms to give you a better understanding of the work.

Abai: Former city in the northeast of the countryside Phokis

Agenor: Phoenician king. Father of Kadmos

Apollo: Greek sun god of healing, light, arts, and oracles

Ares: God of war

Artemis: Twin sister of the god Apollo, goddess of the moon and the hunt

Arcturus: Constellation that appears in springtime

Bakchos: (Dionysus) god of wine

Creon: King of Thebes. Menoikeus' son, Creon and Jocasta are siblings. Creon is the brother-in-law of Oedipus and, it is discovered later also his uncle

Creontines: followers of Creon

Daimon: Spirit being, divine being

Dike: Personification of justice

Double spike: Stick with two tips (to drive horses)

Hades: God of the dead and ruler of the underworld

Helios: Sun god

Herald: Crier, messenger of war and peace

Ismenos: River near Thebes

Ister: River

Kadmos: Founder of the Greek city of Thebes

Kadmeer: Dormant inhabitant of the city of Thebes

Kithairon: Border mountain rang...