The gods watched as Oedipus' daughter, Antigone, stole out of the palace in Thebes the morning after a devastating battle.
Antigone was on a dangerous mission to do what she felt was right, though it meant risking her life.
Oedipus had been king of Thebes, and his exile sent the city into chaos.
His younger son, Eteocles, claimed power for himself and sought to banish his older brother Polyneices.
The two incited a bitter war, and both brothers fell at the city gates.
Oedipus' brother-in-law, Creon, declared himself the new king, having first aligned himself with Eteocles and denounced Polyneices as a traitor.
Now, he ordered that Polyneices be denied burial, leaving his body on the battleground, surrounded by guards and circled by vultures.
Anyone who violated his proclamation would be stoned to death.
Antigone and her sister, Ismene, were at their uncle's mercy.
The fact that Antigone was betrothed to Creon's son, Haemon, seemed to earn her no favor.
