Cadmus: the story on HearLore

Sowing The Spartoi From Teeth

Athena appeared to Cadmus after he slew the sacred dragon. She told him to take the creature's teeth and plant them in the earth. When he did so, fierce armed men sprang up from the soil. These warriors were called the Spartoi or sown ones. They turned their weapons against each other immediately. Cadmus threw a heavy stone into the middle of the fighting group. The men fell upon one another in confusion. Only five survived the slaughter. These survivors helped him build the citadel known as the Cadmeia. They also founded the noblest families of Thebes. The event marked the beginning of a dynasty that would rule the city for generations. Herodotus later claimed these events happened sixteen hundred years before his own time. That calculation places the founding around 2000 BC according to ancient estimates. Modern scholars argue this date conflicts with archaeological evidence about writing systems in Greece.

Who was Cadmus in Greek mythology?

Cadmus was a young man from Phoenicia who founded the city of Thebes after following a cow to Boeotia. He is known for slaying a water-dragon and planting its teeth to create the Spartoi warriors.

When did Cadmus found the city of Thebes according to Herodotus?

Herodotus claimed these events happened sixteen hundred years before his own time, placing the founding around 2000 BC. Modern scholars argue this date conflicts with archaeological evidence about writing systems in Greece.

What happened to Cadmus and Harmonia at the end of their lives?

Cadmus transformed into a serpent and Harmonia begged the gods to share his fate so they were both changed as well. Their souls were later translated to fields where they lived among the blessed.

Did Cadmus introduce the Phoenician alphabet to the Greeks?

Herodotus wrote that Cadmus introduced the Phoenician alphabet to the Greeks and saw tripods engraved with Cadmean writing in the temple of Apollo at Thebes. Modern scholarship has almost unanimously agreed with Herodotus about the Phoenician source of the alphabet but notes timeline problems.

Where was Cadmus born and what was his family background?

Cadmus stood on the shores of Phoenicia when his sister Europa vanished into the sea sent by Zeus. His father King Agenor ordered him to find her and he belonged to the fifth generation of beings following creation.

Cadmus.

Sowing The Spartoi From Teeth

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Common questions

Who was Cadmus in Greek mythology?

When did Cadmus found the city of Thebes according to Herodotus?

What happened to Cadmus and Harmonia at the end of their lives?

Did Cadmus introduce the Phoenician alphabet to the Greeks?

Where was Cadmus born and what was his family background?

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