The Story of Antigone

In ancient Greece, Sophocles wrote a play telling the story of a woman named Antigone. She was the sister of Eteocles and Polyneices, who were “quarreling brothers” that were in a war, where one was fighting for the city of Thebes and the other was fighting against Thebes. They tragically both ended up dying, and their uncle Creon took place as the King. Creon ordered that Eteocles be buried in a proper burial, but that Polyneices remain unburied and then declared him a traitor to their city. This, of course, was considered one of the worst punishments, since it condemned their ascendance to the afterlife. Antigone could not stand for this injustice and courageously buried her brother Polyneices. When Creon found out this had

happened, he ordered Antigone to death, where

she then instead hung herself.

This story has captured my intention since a woman is known for her courage and bravery in an ancient time where only courageous men were most commonly known. She sacrificed herself for her brother, even with knowledge of the punishment that she would face for her actions, which only adds to her selflessness. She was also only concerned with the higher laws of God, relating to this importance of afterlife and obeying the gods above that was very prevalent in ancient times. 

http://www.britannica.com/topic/Antigone-Greek-mythology