Oedipus at Colonus

In ancient times, it was believed that heroes’ physical remains maintained a connection to their spirits, and through this connection, heroes had the power to impart blessings or curses in the material world. This idea is seen not only in ancient Greek texts but also in the ancient Near East. When the king of the Assyrian Empire, Sargon II, died in battle in 705 BC, survivors were unable to recover and bury his body. His sons subsequently moved the capital of the empire from Dur-Sharrukin (meaning Sargon’s Fort) to Nineveh, perhaps to avoid being haunted by his vengeful and powerful spirit.

In his first conversation with Theseus, Oedipus tells him, “I bring my battered body as a gift | It isn’t very much to look at, true, | but profits it will bring are more than fair” (Lines 576-8). Creon later arrives in Athens intending to convince Oedipus to return to Thebes not because he wants Oedipus to return to the city but because he wants Oedipus to be buried near enough to Thebes for his remains to benefit his native city. Oedipus understands this and later warns Theseus to keep the place of his burial secret until just before his own death.