New Wall

Built during the joint reign of twin kings Amphion and Zethus, when Kadmeia was expanded and renamed Thebai after Zethus's wife, Thebe. The Old Wall and New Wall each have seven gates, giving the city its nickname, Seven-Gated Thebai [Grc: Θῆβαι ἑπτάπυλοι (Thebai Heptapyloi)].

The Gates

Gate of the First Man

Also called the Proitid Gate after Proitus, a mysterious historical figure.

Amber Gate

Also called the Elektran Gate after Elektra, a sister of Kadmos. The entry into Thebai from Plataia is by the Elektran gate.

Gate of the Harp

Called Neistan Gate after the nete, an extra string added to the harp that Amphion often played while sitting by this gate. Or named after Neis, a son of Zethus.

Onyx Gate

Named for Athene Onka, the Onyx Warrior of Thebai.

Gate of the North Wind

Also called the Borrean Gate.

Gate of the Titans/h3] In honor of the battle between the Olympians and Titans.

The Unnamed Gate

Krenaian gate is unknown to all, but the Hypsistan is named for a sanctuary of Zeus Hypsistus, or Most High. Ogygian, named after the most ancient King Ogyges.

Architecture

Cyclopean construction, large stones at the base, smaller ones up top, mortared together.

History

Constructed by Amphion and Zethus, stood unbroken until the War of the Epigoni.

In the War of Seven

Arrogant Kapaneus, the Argive son of Hipponous and Astynome, was struck by lightning at the Gate of Amber.

In the War of the Epigoni

After the Thebans were beaten in battle by the Argives near Glisas, most of the defeated withdrew with Laodamas, son of Eteokles, to the Kadmaian outpost in Illyria. One group abandoned the long journey, and turned aside to Aiolia where they seized the Town of Homole within the Kingdom of Magnesia. When these Thebans were recalled to their original homes by Thersander, the son of Polyneikes, they reentered in shame through the Homolean gate.

Type

Wall section

Parent Location

City of Thebai