The Great Greek Myths | Antigone: The Woman Who Said "No" (Episode 19)

Episode 19: Antigone was one of Oedipus’ four children. She had two brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, as well as a sister, Ismene. One day, her sister informed her that her two brothers, who were heirs to the throne of Thebes, were fighting each other for power. They had agreed to take power alternately, but when the time came for Eteocles to hand his crown over to Polynices, he refused. An inevitable war ensued.

Antigone rushed to try to reason with them, but to no avail, and the combat ended with the death of both men. But Creon, Oedipus’ brother, and regent of power, decided to impose the law. He refused Polynices a ritual burial, ordering his body to be abandoned on the battlefield. Antigone, who found Creon’s decision unbearable, defied the ban: she said “No”.