Summary
The tale of Cadmus intertwines themes of divine intervention, transformation, and the founding of a great city, shedding light on the trials and triumphs of mythic quests. Cadmus, the legendary hero, embarks on a journey to find his sister Europa, only to encounter extraordinary beings and divine destinies along the way. Through divine guidance and formidable trials, he ultimately establishes the illustrious city of Thebes.
Cadmus Begins His Quest
In the distant land of Phenicia, Europa, the daughter of King Agenor, vanishes when Jupiter, disguised as a magnificent bull, whisks her away. Her disappearance is soon reported to Agenor by her distressed handmaidens. Desperate to reclaim his daughter, Agenor sends his son Cadmus on a mission to track down Europa, with the stringent instruction not to come back without her. Thus begins an arduous search that takes Cadmus across foreign lands, where he bravely confronts perilous monsters but ultimately fails to recover his sister. Fearing his father’s wrath, Cadmus seeks wisdom from the oracle of Apollo at Delphi, who advises him to follow a cow that he will encounter, as it will guide him to a land where he must establish a new city called Thebes.
The Divine Cow's Guidance
Obeying the oracle, Cadmus sets forth, and soon he comes upon a lone cow. He trails the animal, which eventually rests on the plains of Panope. Seeing it as an omen, Cadmus decides to perform a ritual sacrifice to honor the gods. He dispatches his servants to fetch pure water from a nearby spring, but they are unaware that the spring is guarded by a formidable dragon, sacred to Mars. The dragon, with its lustrous golden scales, venomous body, and lethal triple tongue, swiftly annihilates the unsuspecting servants who dared to fill their pitchers without caution.
The Battle with the Dragon
After waiting anxiously for his servants' return, Cadmus ventures into the grove himself, discovering the grim fate of his men and the fearsome creature that guards the spring. Determined to avenge his lost servants, he hurls a massive stone at the dragon, which ricochets off its impenetrable scales. Undeterred, Cadmus throws his javelin with great force, piercing the beast’s armored flesh. As the dragon attempts to remove the weapon with its jaws, it snaps the blade, leaving the arrowhead embedded and burning within its body. Enraged, the creature lunges at Cadmus, who narrowly evades its wrath by retreating. In a final act of valor, Cadmus strikes the dragon with his spear, pinning it to a tree where it ultimately meets its demise.
Sowing the Dragon's Teeth
Standing over the defeated monster, Cadmus heeds the voice of the goddess Minerva, who instructs him to sow the dragon’s teeth into the earth. No sooner has he scattered the teeth than armed warriors spring forth from the soil. Cadmus prepares to defend himself against these fierce new adversaries, but Minerva’s voice intervenes once more, advising him not to engage. The warriors, embroiled in their own conflicts, fight fiercely amongst themselves until only five remain. These five warriors, pledging their allegiance to Cadmus, join forces with him to lay the foundations of Thebes.
The Blessings and Curses of the Gods
To honor Cadmus’s achievements, Jupiter bestows upon him Harmonia, the daughter of Mars and Venus, as his wife. In celebration, the gods descend from Olympus, and Vulcan crafts a dazzling necklace for the bride. Their union is blessed with four children, and for a fleeting time, Cadmus and Harmonia savor a life filled with joy. However, the shadow of Mars's wrath looms over them for the slaying of the sacred dragon. In due...
(This entire section contains 736 words.)
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course, Mars exacts his revenge, leading to the tragic demise of all Cadmus’s children.
The Transformation and Final Journey
Grief-stricken by the calamities that befall his family, Cadmus departs from Thebes with Harmonia, settling in the land of the Enchelians, where he is made king. Yet, the curse of Mars denies him solace, haunting his reign. Overwhelmed by despair, Cadmus expresses to Harmonia his wish to be transformed into a serpent if such creatures hold divine favor. No sooner does he voice this desire than his body begins to metamorphose, sprouting scales as he transitions into serpent form. Witnessing her husband’s transformation, Harmonia implores the gods to grant her the same fate. Together, they become serpents, retaining their love for humanity and choosing to cause no harm to mortals.