a king of Thebes, the son of Laius and Jocasta, and the father by Jocasta of Eteocles, Polynices, Antigone, and Ismeme

as was prophesied at his birth, he unwittingly killed his father and married his mother and, in penance, blinded himself and went into exile.

(Greek mythology) a tragic king of Thebes who unknowingly killed his father Laius and married his mother Jocasta; the subject of the drama 'Oedipus Rex' by Sophocles