In Greek mythology, Jocasta was the wife of King Laius of Thebesancient Egyptian city on the Nile River. An oraclepriest or priestess or other creature through whom a god is believed to speak; also the location (such as a shrine) where such words are spoken warned that their child would kill his father and sleep with his mother. To prevent this prediction from coming true, Laius left their first baby on a mountain to die. However, a shepherd found the child and took him to King Polybus of Corinth, who raised the boy and named him Oedipus.

Many years later, the oracle repeated the prophecyforetelling of what is to come; also something that is predicted to Oedipus. Hoping to avoid his fate, Oedipus fled Corinth and his adoptive parents. While...