Nycteus

Nycteus is a notable figure in Greek mythology, remembered as a ruler of ancient Thebes in Boeotia and a member of the city’s early dynastic lineage. His reign followed the death of King Polydorus, and he was succeeded by his brother, Lycus, who acted both as a political partner and later as regent. The mythological accounts surrounding Nycteus are preserved in sources such as the Bibliotheca attributed to Pseudo-Apollodorus and the writings of Pausanias, each offering slightly different traditions surrounding his ancestry, actions and death.

Family and Lineage

Nycteus and his brother Lycus belong to the complex genealogy of early Theban myth. Their parentage is reported in multiple traditions:

• One account describes them as sons of Chthonius, one of the Spartoi—descendants of the dragon’s teeth sown by Cadmus.
• Another tradition presents them as the children of the nymph Clonia and Hyrieus, himself a son of Poseidon and the Pleiad Alcyone.
• A further variant names Poseidon and the Pleiad Celaeno as their parents.

Nycteus fathered two daughters with Polyxo: Nycteïs, who later married King Polydorus of Thebes, and Antiope, who became the mother of Amphion, one of the future rulers of the city. These familial connections situated Nycteus at the centre of Theban political succession, linking him to later dynasties associated with the Labdacidae.

Exile and Settlement in Thebes

The earliest major episode involving Nycteus concerns his exile from Euboea. Along with his brother Lycus, he fled the island after killing King Phlegyas. Seeking refuge, they first settled in Hyria and subsequently moved to Thebes. Their arrival was facilitated by their friendship with Pentheus, then king of Thebes and grandson of Cadmus. This relationship integrated the brothers into Theban political affairs and paved the way for their rise to influence.

Regency and Theban Leadership

Nycteus’s daughter Nycteïs married Polydorus, successor to Pentheus, and their child was Labdacus, the future king. However, both Pentheus and Polydorus died in quick succession, leaving the infant Labdacus without direct leadership. Nycteus assumed the role of regent, governing Thebes during the child’s minority. His governance thus maintained stability in a period of dynastic vulnerability, and he ensured the continuation of the Labdacidae line.

Antiope and the Circumstances of His Death

The most contentious aspect of Nycteus’s myth concerns the fate of his daughter Antiope. When she became pregnant by Zeus and fled to marry Epopeus, king of Sicyon, Nycteus regarded her actions as a profound dishonour. Sources diverge on the consequences:

• According to the Bibliotheca, Nycteus, overwhelmed by shame, took his own life after imploring his brother Lycus to pursue Antiope and punish her.
• In contrast, Pausanias records that Nycteus personally led a Theban campaign against Epopeus. He was severely wounded during the conflict and transported back to Thebes, where he died from his injuries after entrusting Lycus with the continuation of the battle.

Significance in Theban Mythology

Nycteus occupies an important place in the early mythological history of Thebes. His narrative intersects with several major Theban cycles:

• the legacy of the Spartoi,
• the succession of early Theban kings,
• the story of Antiope and the birth of Amphion, who would later help fortify Thebes, and
• the Labdacid dynasty, which culminates in figures such as Laius and Oedipus.