Tieresias

Grc: Τειρεσίας - En: Tiresias

The man who practices the prophet's art is a fool; for if he happens to give an adverse answer, he makes himself disliked by those for whom he takes the omens; while if he pities and deceives those who are consulting him, he wrongs the gods."

— Tieresias in Euripides's Phoenician Women

The long-lived blind seer of the City of Thebai, whose duty was tied to the House of Kadmos. Said to be the child of Everes, a shepherd, and Charico, a priestess of Athene, Tieresias does not speak much of his/her youth, being more of a forward-looking soul than backward-looking. The Spartoi Tribe of Udaius claim him/her as a member, a fact which he/she does not confirm or deny.

by Johann Heinrich Füssli

Tieresias in The Bacchae

Tieresias and former king Kadmos are early followers of Dionysos, which puts them in conflict with the current king, Pentheus. In the end, Kadmos and his wife are turned to snakes and exiled and Pentheus is dead, but Tieresias still has a duty to perform.

Tieresias in Oedipus Rex

Tieresias warns Oidipous to desist from his inquiry into the murder of Laios, knowing the king will not be dissuaded and what the result will be.

Tieresias in the War of Seven

Tieresias predicts defeat for the defenders unless Menoikeus, Kreon's eldest son and heir, sacrifices himself willingly to Ares. Kreon, desperate to save his son, tries to keep him out of the war.

Tieresias in the Antigone

Tieresias expresses the will of the gods to Kreon, who chooses defiance.

Tieresias in the War of Epigoni

Tieresias predicts the unavoidable destruction of Thebai and encourages the civilian population to flee the city and relocate their civilization elsewhere. Tieresias dies after drinking from a spring called Telphussa near Haliartus in Boiotia, and with the final passing of the House of Kadmos, his duty to the dynasty complete.

Tieresias in the Odyssey

Sent to the Underworld by Circe, Odysseus encounters Tieresias among a group of shades. Tieresias is the only one who does not require blood to regain his senses, and also still has the power of prophecy even after death.

Physical Description

General Physical Condition

Ancient, requiring much care from his/her three daughters.

Physical quirks

Born as a male but as a young man he encountered a pair of magical snakes that turned him into a woman. Lived for a while as a woman, got married, had at least one child, then encountered the same set of snakes again and was turned back into a man.
In recent centuries, Tieresias has gained the ability to switch genders back and forth at will, and may appear either as a man or as a woman. It's unknown whether he/she is the mother, father, or both to his/her three living daughters.

Special abilities

Can see the future.

Apparel & Accessories

White robes

Mental characteristics

Personal history

Tieresias encountered Kadmos after he'd been blinded and had gained his prophetic gifts. He directed Kadmos to follow a cow with a moon-shaped mark to find the site of the city he was destined to establish. He was then assigned to be the official seer of the House of Kadmos for as long as a descendant of Kadmos sat on the royal throne.
Although the direct patrilineal line of Kadmos ended with the death of King Laios, Tieresias remains in Thebai. Some say he/she has outlived his/her time, others see it as a sign that a descendant of Kadmos yet lives and will someday reclaim the crown.

Gender Identity

Gender fluid

Employment

Official seer of the House of Kadmos from its start with Kadmos at the founding of the Kingdom of Thebai. Has fallen out of favor with the current regime but still maintains a presence at the Temple of Apollo.

Social

Family Ties

Daughters Manto, Historis, and Daphne.

Eyes

Cloudy and pale

Hair

Long and white

Height

Stooped over, not as tall as he/she once was.