Creon of Thebes

Creon (not to be confused with Creon of Corinth) was the son of Menoeceus of Thebes and a distant descendant of Cadmus and the Spartoi, as well as the brother of Jocasta (Oedipus' wife). He married Eurydice and their eldest daughter was Megara, who would later marry Heracles. He was made ruler temporarily by Laius, while he went to consult the oracle at Delphi. When Laius was reported killed, Creon offered the throne of Thebes (as well as the hand of his sister, and Laius' widow, Jocasta), to anyone who could free the city from the oppression of the Sphinx. Oedipus answered the Sphinx's riddle, became king and married Jocasta. After Oedipus' disgrace and exile, Creon again ruled Thebes as regent for Oedipus' sons Eteocles and Polynices, and then once more as regent for Eteocles' son, Laodamas, after the indecisive Theban civil war. In his old age, Creon was killed by the tyrant Lycus, who invaded the city and took the throne by force.