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One woman named Eurydice was the wife of Creon and mother of Haemon. When Oedipus stepped down as King of Thebes, he gave the kingdom to his two sons, Eteocles and Polynices, who both agreed to alternate the throne every year. However, they showed no concern for their father, who cursed them for their negligence. After the first year, Eteocles refused to step down and Polynices attacked Thebes with his supporters (the Seven Against Thebes). Both brothers died in the battle. King Creon, who ascended to the throne of Thebes decreed that Polynices is not to be buried. Antigone, his sister, defied the order, but was caught. Creon decreed that she was to be buried alive in spite of her betrothal to his son, Haemon.

The gods, through the blind prophet Tiresias, expressed their disapproval of Creon's decision, which convinced him to rescind his order, and he went to bury Polynices. However, Antigone had already hanged herself rather than be buried alive. When Creon arrived at the tomb where she was to be interred, his son, Haemon, attacked him and then killed himself. When Creon's wife, Eurydice, was informed of their death she, too, took her own life.

See also Epigonoi

In Greek mythology another woman - or a nymph - named Eurydice was the wife of Orpheus. While fleeing from Aristaeus, she was bitten by a serpent and died. Distraught, Orpheus played such sad songs and sang so mournfully that all the nymphs and gods wept and gave him advice. Orpheus went down to the lower world and by his music softened the heart of Hades and PersephoneIn Greek mythology, Persephone ("per-SE-fo-neh") was the queen of the Underworld, the Kore or maiden, daughter of Demeter. Persephone ("she who destroys the light") is her name in the Ionic Greek of epic literature. In other dialects she was known under v (the only person to ever do so), who allowed Eurydice to return with him to earth. But the condition was attached that he should walk in front of her and not look back until he had reached the upper world. In his anxiety he broke his promise, and Eurydice vanished again from his sight. The story in this form belongs to the time of VirgilFor other uses see Virgil (disambiguation). Publius Vergilius Maro ( October 15, 70 19 BC) known in English as Virgil or Vergil Latin poet, is the author of the Eclogues the Georgics and the Aeneid this last being a narrative poem in twelve books that is, who first introduces the name of Aristaeus. Other ancient writers, however, speak of Orpheus' visit to the underworld; according to PlatoFor the computing technology, see PLATO System. Plato ( Greek: Platon (c. 427 BC c. 347 BC) was an immensely influential classical Greek philosopher, student of Socrates, teacher of Aristotle, writer, and founder of the Academy in Athens. Plato, who is be, the infernal gods only "presented an apparition" of Eurydice to him.

The story of Orpheus and Eurydice is the subject of a number of operaCharles Garnier's Opera, Paris, opened 1875 Opera is an art form consisting of a dramatic stage performance set to music. The drama is presented using the typical elements of theater such as scenery, costumes, and acting. However, the words of the opera,s, among them Claudio MonteverdiBernardo Strozzi Claudio Monteverdi ( May 15, 1567 (baptised) November 29, 1643) was an Italian composer, violinist and singer. His work marks the transition from Renaissance to Baroque music. During his long life he produced work that can be classified i's OrfeoOrfeo is one of the earliest works recognized as an opera, composed by Claudio Monteverdi with text by Alessandro Striggio for the annual carnival of Mantua. It was first performed at the Accademia degl'Invaghiti in Mantua in February of 1607 and on Febru (1609), Christoph Willibald GluckChristoph Willibald Gluck ( July 2, 1714 November 15, 1787) was a German composer. He is seen as one of the most important opera composers of the Classical music era, and is particularly remembered for the opera Orfeo ed Euridice''. He also wrote other wo's Orfeo ed EuridiceOrfeo ed Euridice is an opera by Christoph Willibald Gluck. The libretto was written by Ramieri de Calzabigi. It was first performed in Vienna on October 5, 1762. The opera is the first by Gluck showing signs of his ambition to reform opera seria. Self-co (1762), Jacques Offenbach's operetta Orpheus in the Underworld (1858) and Harrison Birtwistle's The Mask of Orpheus (1986).

Eurydice is also a play which retells the myth of Orpheus from Eurydice's point of view.