In the Greek Mythology, Laïos (in Greek old Λάϊος / Láïos , “it left”) or Long-winded speech , wire of Labdacos, is the king of Thèbes and the father of Oedipus.

Myth

It is only two years old with died of his father: regency is entrusted to its great-uncle Lycos. When it reaches its majority, Laïos, instead of going up on the throne, is driven out of Thèbes and finds asylum near the king Pélops. This one entrusts his/her son Chrysippe to him while requiring of him to teach him art to drive a tank. Laïos éprend of its young pupil, removes it during a race of tanks and in fact his/her lover. Overpowered shame, Chrysippe would have been hung. According to another version, he would have been assassinated by his half-brothers on the request of their mother Hippodamie. Pélops then calls on Laïos the curse of Apollon.

After the death of Amphion, Laïos becomes king de Thèbes and wife Jocaste. But a oracle come from Delphes informs it that if a male heir is born to him, it will kill his father and will marry his mother. Laïos, careful, then keeps any relation with his wife. One night however, under the influence of drink, he knows Jocaste and generates Oedipus. To entreat oracle, it makes expose the child on the Mont Cithéron. But Oedipus is collected by the king of Corinthe, Polybe, and is raised far from Thèbes.

Years later, Laïos, going to Delphes, Oedipus crosses on a narrow road, whereas this one fled Corinthe. Oedipus lets pass the convoy of the king, but a rider kills one of his horses (or the convoy rolls to him on the foot according to the versions). A brawl bursts then in which Laïos is killed by his/her son.

Sources

• (III, 5,5-7).

• (IV, 22).
• (XI, 271 and suiv.).
• ( Olympic , II, 38).
• .