cadmus

Thân thiện

Cadmus sows the dragon's teeth to found the city of Thebes.

Definition

Proper noun 1. A figure in Greek mythology: Cadmus is the brother of Europa and is traditionally credited as the founder of the ancient Greek city of Thebes in Boeotia. He is a significant culture hero in myth, often associated with the introduction of the Phoenician alphabet to the Greeks.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • In the myth, Cadmus searched far and wide for his sister Europa after she was abducted by Zeus.
  • The legendary founder of Thebes was Cadmus.
  • Cadmus is said to have sown dragon's teeth, from which armed warriors sprang.

Advanced Usage

• "Cadmean victory": A victory that comes at a ruinous cost, akin to a Pyrrhic victory. This derives from the story of Cadmus and the warriors sprung from the dragon's teeth, who fought each other until only a few survived.
  • Winning the lengthy legal case felt like a Cadmean victory, as it bankrupted the company.

Variants and Related Words

• Cadmean (adjective): Pertaining to Cadmus or Thebes.
  • The Cadmean alphabet was said to be the precursor to the Greek script.

Synonyms

• Founder of Thebes: The primary mythological role of Cadmus.
• Culture hero: A mythological hero who discovers an important cultural element.

Related Phrases

• To sow dragon's teeth: To take an action that inadvertently leads to trouble or conflict. This idiom originates directly from the myth of Cadmus.
  • His inflammatory speech sowed dragon's teeth, leading to years of discord within the community.

Học thuật

Noun

1. (Greek mythology) the brother of Europa and traditional founder of Thebes in Boeotia

Từ đồng nghĩa

• cadmus