Polynices Polynices In Greek mythology, Polynices (; Ancient Greek: Πολυνείκης, "Polyneíkes" means "manifold strife" or "much strife") was the son of Oedipus and Jocasta and the younger brother of Eteocles. When his father, Oedipus, was discovered to have killed his father and married his mother, he was expelled from Thebes, leaving his sons Eteocles and Polynices to rule. Because of a curse put on them by their father Oedipus, the two sons did not share the rule peacefully and died as a result, killing each other in battle for control over Thebes. In the "Thebaid", the brothers were cursed by their
Ascalaphus (son of Acheron) and released him from his prison but then Demeter transformed Ascalaphus into an owl. According to another myth Persephone herself changed him into an owl by sprinkling him with water of the river Phlegethon. Ovid mentions: "So he became the vilest bird; a messenger of grief; the lazy owl; sad omen to mankind." As an owl, he became the familiar bird of Hades, god of the underworld. Ascalaphus (son of Acheron) In Greek mythology, Ascalaphus (; Ancient Greek: Ἀσκάλαφος "Askalaphos") was the son of Acheron and Orphne. Ascalaphus was the custodian of the orchard of Hades. He told the other