Know then, Seven Men — mettlesome Captains all - Spilling bulls’ blood in shield with black hide bound — Their unctuous hands dipped in that gory chrism - Have taken a great oath — unutterable By Enyo and Phobos that drinketh blood, To raze these walls from battlement to base And sack the town of Cadmus, or else die,
~ ‘The Seven Against Thebes’ by Aeschylus (G. M. Cookson translation. p31. line 40)
The play starts with a monologue from Eteocles, the king of Thebes. His enemies are outside the city walls, ready to attack the city of Cadmus (if Thebes is referred to as Cadmus’s city, Cadmus was probably the founder). Eteocles addresses a group of people around him to tell them not to fear the crowd of foreigners outside. He is confident that the scouts he has despatched will bring him the news that will enable them to be prepared. A scout appears and tells Eteocles that seven warriors have taken a deadly oath to sack the city or die. The chorus of women cry and wail at the impending doom. Eteocles rebukes them and tells them to calm down, not discourage the army.
The scout gives details of these warriors one by one, describing their armor, especially the figures on the shields and their boastfulness. Eteocles says he would not fear someone because they have beautifully carved symbols on their shields. For each of the warriors on the enemy side, Eteocles sends one from his side to fight. When the scout gives details about the seventh man, we learn that it is Eteocles’ own brother, Polynices and that Eteocles had dishonored him with exile. Polynices has a new shield with the following etched - a modest woman representing Justice walking a man in arms, indicating that he is fighting for justice. At this point, we see everyone in a different light. Eteocles might not be the hero after all.