Message: "Polynices, Eteocles, Antigone, Ismene."

Polynices, Eteocles, Antigone, Ismene.

by Obie (guest)

4/18/2004, 4:11 AM

Polynices, Eteocles, Antigone, Ismene. What do these Greek names mean in English? They are children of Oedipus ('swollen legs').

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- Yannis (guest)

4/18/2004, 5:48 AM

Eteocles

Eteocles: True/Real Glorious
Eteos = True/Real
Cles derives from Kleos (= Glory)

- Yannis (guest) +5

4/18/2004, 5:29 AM

First, the easy ones...

Polynices: The one that has achieved a lot of victories.
Poly-: A lot.
Nices derives from Niki (=Victory).
An english translation??? Polyvictor :-)

Antigone: Goto http://www.behindthename.com
Ismene: Goto http://www.behindthename.com

- David Brown (guest) +1

6/7/2004, 5:48 AM

Since neither brother was victorius, both died in battle, and Polynices' name means he has achieved a lot of victories; does anyone have any idea to which "victories" the name Polynices has reference?

- Anon. (guest)

6/7/2004, 12:25 PM

It could refer to athletic victories. Compare 'periodonikes', which denotes an athlete who was victorious at all four major festivals (Olympia, Pythia, Isthmia and Nemea).

- Obie (guest) +2

4/18/2004, 6:30 AM

Antigone is there said to mean 'against birth'. Should that be taken as 'one who doesn't like to be born', or 'one who doesn't like to give birth', or something else? (BTW I see that Antigonus is there explained as 'like ancestor' which is completely different; a bit strange I have to say.)

- Yannis (guest) +1

4/18/2004, 10:12 AM

Antigone

Well, it is ambiguous...

This is because of the different meanings of "anti" in composite
words. Please have a look at

http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/resolveform?lang=Greek

using as search terms "anti" and "gonos". "Antigone" is a feminine
form of "Antigonos" (latinized="Antigonus")

Considering the tragedies about Antigone and her father both meanings
may apply, i.e. "like her father/mother" or "against birth". I would
say that this "against birth" actually means "against
family/genus(=clan)"

"Against birth" may also mean "against her own sex". Considering that
Antigone defied king's orders, she did something opposite
to her position as woman (as perceived in ancient times).

- Jennifer (jenneferre)

4/29/2004, 8:35 PM

I would say your final comment makes the most sense. The word antagonize is derived from the same roots as Antigone - to go against etc etc.

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