Poly̆nīces

, a son of Œdip us king of Thebes by Jocasta. He inherited his father’s throne with his brother Eteocles, and it was mutually agreed between the two brothers, that they should reign each a year alternately. Eteocles first ascended the throne by right of seniority; but when the year was expired, he refused to resign the crown to his brother. Polynices, upon this, fled to Argos, where he married Argia, the daughter of Adrastus the king of the country, and levied a large army, at the head of which he marched to Thebes. The command of this army was divided among seven celebrated chiefs, who were to attack the seven gates of the city of Thebes. The battle was decided by a single combat between the two brothers, who both killed one another. See: Eteocles . Aeschylus , Seven Against Thebes .— Euripi des , Phoenician Women .— Seneca , Œdip us .— Diodorus , bk. 4 .— Hyginus , fable 68, . — Pausanias , bk. 2 , ch. 20 ; bk. 9 , ch. 5 .— Apollo dor us , bk. 3 , ch. 5 .