In Greek mythology, Haemon ("bloody") (or Haimon) (Αἵμων) was

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1) the son of Creon and Eurydice.

When Oedipus stepped down as King of Thebes, he gave the kingdom to his two sons, Eteocles and Polynices, who both agreed to alternate the throne every year. However, they showed no concern for their father, who cursed them for their negligence. After the first year, Eteocles refused to step down and Polynices attacked Thebes with his supporters (the Seven Against Thebes). Both brothers died in the battle. King Creon, who ascended to the throne of Thebes, decreed that Polynices was not to be buried. Antigone, his sister, defied the order, but was caught. Creon decreed that she was to be buried alive – in spite of the fact that she was betrothed to his son, Haemon. The gods, through the blind prophet Tiresias, expressed their disapproval of Creon's decision, which convinced him to rescind his order, and he went to bury Polynices. However, Antigone had already hung herself rather than be buried alive. When Creon arrived at the tomb where she was to be interred, his son, Haemon, attacked him and then killed himself. When Creon's wife, Eurydice, was informed of their death she too took her own life.

Pope Paul II played as a student Haemon ( Antigone of Sophocles). When he visited Poland he was asked by the crowd to talk about his life. He said that he played Haemon. Even old and after decades passed he knew the text.

See also

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2) the son of Pelasgus and father of Thessalus, from whom the ancient name of Thessaly, Haemonia or Aemonia, was believed to be derived. The Roman poets frequently use the adjective Haemonius as equivalent to Thessalicus.


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