64 Ernest Heinrich Klotsche 



Cf. also ^sch. Eum. 934 ff. The Greeks modified their theory of 

 the hereditary transmission of a curse by arguing that each gen- 

 eration commits new sins. 



The poet's opinion in regard to the importance of dreams is 

 illustrated by the following simile. The feeble trembling feet of 

 CEdipus are like a dream in respect of strength : 



Phoen. 1721-22: 



rade rade ^a.'&l ijlol, 



raSe rade iroda rid-ei, k. t. X. 



" Let thy feet follow hither mine hand, 



strengthless as dream of the night ! " 



A few examples of oath are found in our play. Polyneices calls 

 the Gods to witness that it is against his own will to take up arms 

 against his relation : 



Phcen. 433-34: 



d^eovs 5 eTTCojUoc d>s aKovaio^s 

 Tois (fyLKraTOLS enovaiv rjpd/jirjv dopv. 



" And, by the Gods I swear, unwillingly 



1 lift the spear against my father's house." 



Polyneices expresses his indignation at his brother Eteocles 

 who has not kept what he had promised under oath : 



Phoen. 481-83 : 



o 8' aivecras ravd^' opKiovs re Sous §eoiis, 

 eSpaaev ovdev uiv virkcrx'tT , k. t. X. 



" And he consented, in the God's sight swore. 

 Yet no whit keepeth troth, but holdeth still 

 The kingship and mine half the heritage." 



and angrily proceeds : 



Phoen. 491-93 : 



fxapTvpas Se rcovde daifiovas Ka\(x>, 

 cbs iravra wpdacrcjiv aw St/cj;, 8iKr]s arep 

 dtro(XTepovp.aL Trarpidos dvotTicoTara. 



"... I call the Gods to witness this — 

 That, wholly dealing justly, robbed am I 

 Of fatherland, unjustly, impiously." 



118 



