The Blind Seer

Teiresias is the son of Eueres and a nymph named Chariclo. He was blind in both eyes. The mythographic compendium Bibliotheke, stated that different versions of stories were told of the cause of his blindness. One of them was told by a poet named Pherecydes which was followed in Callimachus’ poem The Bathing of Pallas. This version tells that Teiresias was blinded in both eyes because he stumbled onto goddess Athena bathing naked. Teiresias’ mother, Chariclo, besought Athena to undo her curse, but Athena could not. Instead, she bestowed upon him the gift of augury and a cherrywood staff with which he could walk like those who have their sight. Another version tells that Teiresias saw two snakes mating and hit them with a stick. Hera was not pleased, thus she changed Teiresias into a woman as a punishment. Seven years later, Teiresias came across another two snakes that were mating and hit them with a stick. This undid the punishment and Teiresias was change into a man again. The third version tells that Teiresias was drawn into an argument between Zeus and Hera. He was asked whether the male or the female had more pleasure in sex. Since Teiresias had experienced both, he revealed woman’s greatest secret – that the woman receives greater pleasure. This angered Hera so she blinded him as a punishment. Zeus failed to stop Hera, thus, he gave Teiresias the gift of foresight and a lifespan of seven years.

In Greek literature, Teiresias’ pronouncements were always clever and wise but never wrong. However, like most oracles, Teiresias was always reluctant to reveal his visions. Because Teiresias was a great seer, he became very useful to authors and was much invoked in their works.