Jocasta

In Greek mythology, Jocasta, also Iocaste or Epikast?, was a daughter of Menocenes. She was the wife of Laius and, by him, mother (and wife) of Oedipus, and mother (by Oedipus) of Antigone, Eteocles, Polynices and Ismene.

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Her husband, King Laius of Thebes, consulted an oracle when she was pregnant with her first child, Oedipus. The oracle claimed he was destined to kill his father and marry his own mother. Laius had the baby left out in the woods to die. He was found by a shepherd and given to King Polybus and Queen Merope (or Periboea) of Corinth.

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Later, Oedipus killed Laius, not knowing who he was, and married Jocasta, not knowing who she was. When this was discovered, Oedipus tore out his own eyes with Jocasta's brooch and Jocasta committed suicide by hanging.

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See also: Oedipus the King by Sophocles.

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Greek mythology: Greek mythology comprises the collected narratives of Greek gods, goddesses, heroes, and heroines, originally created and spread within an oral-poetic tradition. Our surviving sources of mythology are literary reworkings of this oral tradition, supplemented by interpretations of iconic imagery, some...

Menocenes: REDIRECT Menoeceus...

Laius: In Greek mythology, King Laius, or Laios of Thebes was a divine hero and key personage in the Theban founding myth. Son of Labdacus, he was raised by the regent Lycus after the death of his father....