Common Theory

The Tale of Tiresias: 

From Gender Transformation to Divine Insight

Who is Tiresias?

Tiresias, a Theban native, came from a noble family called the Sparti. His parents were Eueres, a shepherd, and Chariclo, a nymph. He played significant roles in many Greek myths like The Odyssey, Oedipus Rex, Antigone, and The Phoenician Women, as well as in various hymns and poems.

Tiresias' Concept Art by Dimitris Avramidis

In these tales, Tiresias is portrayed as a blind seer, bestowed with a lengthy life by the gods. Stories tell of him living through seven generations before meeting his end at the hands of Apollo. Even in the underworld, he maintained his prophetic abilities, sought after by figures such as Odysseus for guidance.

Throughout his life, Tiresias provided counsel to numerous Theban kings, from Pentheus to Oedipus. Yet, his predictions were frequently dismissed until they came to pass as he had foreseen. This was partly due to Tiresias's tendency to communicate cryptically, often conveying his insights through riddles or subtle hints.

One fascinating element of Tiresias' mythology centers on the story of how he became blind. While there are different versions, they all agree that he lost his sight later in life, usually as a punishment from a deity.

Tiresias' Journey from Blindness to Foreseeing the Future

So, let's delve into the myth behind the curse and boon of Tiresias and unravel how he possessed the ability to be a clairvoyant. This article will shed light on two of the most established myth around Tiresias' life.

In the ancient myth of Tiresias, the story unfolds with him encountering a pair of mating snakes. In a moment of interference, he struck them with a stick, invoking the wrath of Hera. As a consequence, Tiresias was transformed into a woman, showcasing themes of gender fluidity. Tiresias married and had children and seven years later came upon another set of mating snakes. This time, Tiresias left them alone and was transformed back into a male.

Later, a debate arose on Mount Olympus between Zeus and Hera regarding which gender experiences more pleasure during intercourse. Tiresias, having lived as both male and female, was summoned to settle the dispute. He agreed with Zeus, stating that women derive greater pleasure from physical intimacy which infuriated Hera. Hera's anger led to Tiresias being cursed, resulting in his eventual blindness. Moved by pity, Zeus decided to compensate him. As a gesture of goodwill, Zeus granted Tiresias the ability to foresee the future through prophecy and extended his lifespan sevenfold.