THEBE (city in Mysia and Aeolis)
Ancient city of Mysia, in modern-day Turkey
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Mysia and Aeolis
- People of myth here
- Chryseis, Eetion
- Where
- 39.58° N, 27.00° E
Homer identifies Thebe as the strong, sacred city belonging to Eetion. Iliad 1 ¶34 The temple of Apollo Smintheus was situated in Thebe. Strabo 13.1.63 Achilles killed the city's king, Eetion, during the sack. Iliad 6 ¶30
Described in the sources
Thebe is identified as one of the twelve daughters born to the river god Asopus and Metope. Diodorus 4.72 +1 Thebe is the location where Achilles slew Eetion, the king of the Cilicians who dwelt under the woody Placus. Quintus 4 ¶12 +1 Thebe is located near and above the small coastal town of Chrysa, which is situated within the plain of Thebe. Strabo 13.1.48 +1 The plain of Thebe was fertile and contested by Mysians and Lydians, and was also occupied by survivors of the Mysians. Strabo 13.1.61 +1 Andromache states she was born at Thebe. Strabo 13.1.7 part 1 A place named Cilla is situated near Thebe. Strabo 13.1.62 Thebe is sixty stadia distant from Andeira. Strabo 13.1.65 The city is described as having seven gates. The Shield of Heracles ll. 27-55 Thebe is located near the city of Antandria. Strabo 13.1.62 Thebe is located in the Adramyttene district. Strabo 13.1.62
Stories and history
Achilles and the Achaeans sacked the city during a military campaign and took its spoils. Iliad 1 ¶34 +3 The city of Thebe is currently entirely abandoned and uninhabited. Strabo 13.1.61 +2 The walls of Thebe were laid waste by the Greek army. Strabo 13.1.61 +1 The Achaean sons shared the plunder from the city among themselves. Iliad 1 ¶34 +1 Chryseis was taken captive from Thebe by the Atrides as part of the war booty. Strabo 13.1.61 +1 Thebe shares its name with a location in the Troad. Strabo 14.5.21 No humans lived in Thebe when Apollo first arrived there. Hymn III to Delian Apollo ll. 207-228 The city helped establish the Dorian colony of Lakedaimon. Pindar, Isthmian 6 ¶1 Hypoplacian Thebes was captured by the subject of the passage. Apollodorus, Epitome 3.33 Achilles captured the king's mother and brought her away as spoil. Iliad 6 ¶30
Myths set at Thebe
- The Birth of Heracles. Zeus conceives Heracles by deceiving Alcmene, and Hera attempts to delay the birth to ensure her own son rules first. Heracles is born after a prolonged night, survives Hera's wrath, and is raised in Thebes. Callimachus, Hymn 3 ¶6 +5 Heracles
- The Building of Thebes. Zethus and his brother Amphion set out to found the city of Thebes. They successfully built the city walls and foundations using a combination of physical labor and music. Apollodorus 3.5.5 +3
- The Fate of Andromache's Family. hook: "Andromache's family is systematically destroyed by Achilles during the sack of Thebe.", "goal": "", "outcome": "Her mother is taken to Troy as spoil but later freed for a large sum."} Iliad 6 ¶30 +2 Andromache
- The Sack of Thebes. Atreus allies with the Tegeatans to confront the invading Heracleidae at the Isthmus. He participates in the sack of the strong city of Thebe. Diodorus 4.58 +1 Atreus