Gender Masculine
Scripts Πολυνείκης(Ancient Greek)
Other Forms FormsPolyneices, Polyneíkes
Meaning & History
Latinized form of Greek Πολυνείκης (Polyneikês) meaning "manifold strife", derived from πολύς (polys) "much, many" and νεῖκος (neikos) "quarrel, strife, feud". In Greek mythology, Polynices was the son of Oedipus and Jocasta, brother of Eteocles, and husband of Argea. When it was revealed that Oedipus killed his father and married his mother and was subsequently expelled from Thebes, Polynices and Eteocles were left to rule together. However, they were cursed by Oedipus and as such the brothers did not rule together peacefully and ended up killing each other in battle for control of Thebes.