When Athena realized that Tiresias had seen her naked, she immediately struck him blind. ![]() In one myth, Tiresias happened upon Athena one day while she was bathing. There are different versions of how Tiresias became the famous blind prophet of Thebes, at least two of which were well known in antiquity. This meant that Tiresias belonged to the oldest and most respected family in mythical Thebes. His father was a Theban named Everes who may have been descended from one of the Spartoi, or “sown men,” the race of warriors who sprang from the earth when Cadmus first founded Thebes and sowed the dragon’s teeth given to him by the gods. Tiresias’ mother was Chariclo, a nymph devoted to the goddess Athena. As far as we know, he was never depicted in his female form. In ancient art, Tiresias was represented as a bearded prophet, often with a staff and other religious accoutrements. He also lived much longer than other mortals-for as many as seven generations. Tiresias also carried a special staff, made of either cornel wood or gold (there are different versions), which he used to guide his steps.įinally, Tiresias is remembered for his highly unusual life: he was born a man, lived for several years as a woman, then was transformed back into a man. ![]() According to ancient sources, he was awarded these abilities as compensation for his blindness (which also came from the gods). He was a prolific diviner, obtaining his information about the future through prophetic visions as well as augury (the interpretation of the songs and flights of birds). Tiresias boasted several famous attributes-most notably, the gift of divination, which he received from the gods. It is likely related to the Indo-European * kwer-, meaning “magical sign” or “omen.” Pronunciation Though this word has several meanings-“sign,” “omen,” “wonder,” “monster”-it was broadly used to signify something divine. Teiresias), also spelled Teiresias, seems to have been derived from the Greek word teras, or its variant teirea. The name “Tiresias” (Greek Τειρεσίας, translit. For example, the Greek hero Odysseus visited the Underworld during his decade-long journey home from the Trojan War, seeking advice from the long-dead Tiresias. Tiresias was an important prophet even in death. In the end, Tiresias was struck blind by the gods-in some versions because he had offended Athena, in others because he had offended Hera. Though born a man, he was transformed into a woman after he killed a copulating female snake eventually, after marrying and giving birth to children, (s)he was transformed back into a man. Tiresias was blessed with experiences and abilities that went beyond his famous clairvoyance and longevity. Inseparable from the mythology of his storied city, he played a central role in the lives of everyone from Cadmus to the Seven against Thebes. Tiresias, son of the nymph Chariclo, was a remarkably long-lived prophet of Thebes.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |