Euripides is not a true thinker, and for that very reason fitly typifies a period when religion had been shaken to its very foundation, but still retained a strong hold on men’s minds, and might at any time reassert its ancient authority with unexpected vigour. We gather, also, from his writings, that ethical sentiment had undergone a parallel transformation. He introduces characters and actions which the elder dramatists would have rejected as unworthy of tragedy, and not only introduces them, but composes elaborate speeches in their defence. Side by side with examples of devoted heroism we find such observations as that everyone loves himself best, and that those are most prosperous who attend most exclusively to their own interests. It so happens that in one instance where Euripides has chosen a subject already handled by Aeschylus, the difference of treatment shows how great a moral revolution had occurred in the interim. The conflict waged between Eteoclês and Polyneicês for their father’s throne is the theme both of the _Seven against Thebes_ and of the _Phoenician Women_. In both, Polyneicês bases his claim on grounds of right. It had been agreed that he and his brother should alternately hold sway over Thebes. His turn has arrived, and Eteoclês refuses to give way. Polyneicês endeavours to enforce his pretensions by bringing a foreign army against Thebes. Aeschylus makes him appear before the walls with an allegorical figure of Justice on his shield, promising to restore him to his father’s seat. On hearing this, Eteoclês exclaims:— ‘Aye, if Jove’s virgin daughter Justice shared In deed or thought of his, then it might be. But neither when he left the darkling womb, Nor in his childhood, nor in youth, nor when The clustering hair first gathered round his chin, Hath Justice turned approving eyes on him; Nor deem I that she comes as his ally, Now that he wastes his native land with war, Or Justice most unjustly were she called If ruthless hearts could claim her fellowship.’[56] Euripides, with greater dramatic skill, brings the two brothers together in presence of their mother, Jocastê. When Polyneicês has spoken, Eteoclês replies:— ‘Honour and wisdom are but empty names That mortals use, each with a different meaning, Agreeing in the sound, not in the sense. Hear, mother, undisguised my whole resolve! Were Sovereignty, chief goddess among gods, Far set as is the rising of a star, Or buried deep in subterranean gloom, There I would seek and win her for mine own. * * * * * Come fire, come sword, yoke horses to the car, And fill the plain with armed men, for I Will not give up my royalty to him! Let all my life be guiltless save in this: I dare do any wrong for sovereign power— The splendid guerdon of a splendid sin.’[57]