Menoeceus

American  

[muh-nee-see-uhs, -syoos] / məˈni si əs, -syus /

noun

Classical Mythology.

1. a descendant of the Sparti and the father of Jocasta and Creon, who sacrificed himself to end a plague in Thebes.

2. the son of Creon of Thebes, who took his own life because of the prophecy that the Seven against Thebes would fail only if a descendant of the Sparti sacrificed himself.

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Example Sentences

He told Creon that Thebes would be saved only if Menoeceus was killed.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

“Go get it then,” said Menoeceus, but when Creon had hurried away he spoke other words:—

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

I have taken this story from the Antigone and the Oedipus at Colonus, two of Sophocles’ plays, with the exception of the death of Menoeceus, which is told in a play of Euripides, The Suppliants.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

But Menoeceus had not died in vain; in the end the Thebans prevailed and of the seven champions all were killed except Adrastus only.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

When the champions have taken up their position at the gates, Teiresias tells Creon that Thebes can be saved by the sacrifice of his own son Menoeceus.

From Authors of Greece by Lumb, T. W.