How Oedipus Became King of Thebes

1. How Oedipus Became King of Thebes

2. Thebes was being plagued by a Sphinx, a creature shaped like a winged lion, but with the chest and face of a woman.

3. She lay in wait for travelers along the roads to the city and whomever she seized she put a riddle to, telling him if he could answer it, she would let him go. No one could, and the horrible creature devoured man after man until the city was in a state of horror.

4. The gates leading out and in to the city were closed and the people was starving. There came a man by the name of Oedipus who was of great courage and intelligence. He heard what was happening there so he determined to seek the Sphinx out to try and solve the riddle.

5. The Riddle The riddle Oedipus answers. . . “What creature, the Sphinx asked him, “goes on four feet in the morning, on two at noonday, on three in the evening?”

6. The Answer Oedipus answered, “Man.” “In childhood he creeps on hands and feet; in manhood he walks erect; in old age he helps himself with a staff.” It was the right answer.

7. The Sphinx killed herself and the Thebans were saved. Oedipus was made King for his courage and wit.