raises an army and goes to war with his brother over the control of Thebes. The two brothers are killed in the battle, and their uncle,Creon, becomes the king. This fact is ironic because Creon stated he did not wish to be king in Oedipus Rex. He believed that he had all of the perks of being the king without the risks involved.

Creon decides that Polyneices is a traitor to Thebes because he was fighting against the king, even though Eteocles went against their agreement. Since Eteocles was the king, he determines that he should be given a proper burial, while his brother, Polyneices, should be left unburied.

In Antigone, Creon thinks that Eteocles should receive a proper burial because he fought in honor of Thebes.  After Oedipus exiles himself and eventually dies, the decision is made that Eteocles and Polynices will alternate as kings of Thebes.  Eteocles takes the position first, but when his year is up, he does not want to relinquish the position to his brother.  To avenge his honor, Polynices creates a small army and wages war against Thebes.  When the two brothers simultaneously kill each other, Eteocles is technically the king of Thebes, and Polynices is viewed as a traitor.  Being the next family member in line, Creon takes the position as king and orders that Eteocles be given a proper burial because he was he former king of Thebes.  Creon orders that the body of Polynices be left for carrion and wild dogs because he was seen as a traitor to Thebes.  So, Creon orders the burial of Eteocles based on his narrow interpretation of law.

Prior to the opening of Sophocles's Antigone, two brothers, Polynices and Eteocles, kill each other in battle. Creon decides that Polynices's body is to be left unburied on the battlefield; anyone who tries to bury him will be put to death. Eteocles, on the other hand, is given a proper burial with honors. To understand the difference in Creon's treatment of the brothers, we must examine why they fought.

Oedipus, father of Polynices and Eteocles, once ruled as king of Thebes. Creon took over as interim king until Oedipus's sons are old enough to rule.

When the brothers were of ruling age, Eteocles claimed the throne for himself, even though he was the younger of the brothers and was not next in line to rule. He exiled Polynices.

In response, Polynices gathered an army of outside forces and attacked his native city, Thebes. The two brothers ended up killing each other in the midst of the battle.

Polynices is now considered a traitor, because he attacked his own city. Because of this betrayal, Creon decrees that he will not be given a burial. His body is left on the battlefield for the elements and animals to destroy.

Eteocles, on the other hand, is considered a hero, because he died defending his native Thebes. Creon therefore allows him to be properly buried, with honors.