[eh-tee-OH-kleez, eh-tee-OH-kleez]

Definitions

1. noun

A king of Thebes, and the brother of Polyneices, in Greek mythology.

“In the story of the Seven Against Thebes, Eteocles played a pivotal role as the defender of Thebes.”

2. proper noun

A reference to Eteocles, the king of Thebes, in a literary or historical context.

“The tragic play ‘Seven Against Thebes’ by Aeschylus features Eteocles as the protagonist.”