The Laius reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Laius

In Greek mythology, King Laius, or Laios of Thebes was the husband of Jocasta and father of Oedipus. He was raised by Lycus.

Laius consulted an oracle when Jocasta was pregnant with her first child, Oedipus. The oracle claimed he was destined to kill his father and marry his own mother. Laius had the baby left out in the woods to die. He was found by a shepherd and given to King Polybus and Queen Merope (or Periboea) of Corinth.

Later, Oedipus killed Laius, not knowing who he was, and marrying Jocasta, not knowing who she was. When this was discovered, Oedipus tore out his own eyes and Jocasta committed suicide by hanging.

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