NIOBE
by Jean Lang · from A Book of Myths
Adapted Version
Queen Niobe was a queen. She lived in a grand city. She had many, many children. Queen Niobe loved her children very much. She had seven sons and seven daughters. She was very proud of them. She thought her children were the best.
Queen Niobe spoke loudly. She boasted to everyone. She said her children were better. They were better than the goddess's two children. The goddess was Goddess Latona. She had God Apollo and Goddess Diana. Queen Niobe was not kind.
The goddess heard Queen Niobe. She felt very sad and upset. Her heart grew heavy. She asked her children for help. She asked God Apollo and Goddess Diana. They must help their mother.
God Apollo came to the city. The city was called Thebes. He came very quietly. He used his magic light. Queen Niobe's sons were playing games. The magic light touched them. They were gone. All seven sons were gone.
Queen Niobe saw her sons were gone. She was very sad. But she was still proud. She still boasted. She said her daughters were still better. They were better than the goddess's children.
Goddess Diana came. She came to the city too. She used her magic light. Queen Niobe's daughters were playing. The magic light touched them. They were gone. One by one, they were gone. All seven daughters disappeared.
Queen Niobe saw her daughters gone. She was very, very sad. She cried big tears. She begged Goddess Diana. "Please, let my last child stay!" she cried. "She is so small," Queen Niobe said.
But the magic light touched the child too. She was gone. All her children were gone. Queen Niobe was all alone. She was very, very sad.
Queen Niobe sat alone. She cried and cried. She cried for a long, long time. She missed her children. Her children were gone.
The gods saw Queen Niobe's sadness. They felt a little pity. They turned her into a stone statue. The statue sat on a tall mountain. Water always dripped from the stone. It was like Queen Niobe's tears.
And so, Queen Niobe became a stone. She was always sad. This story says: Do not boast. Do not say you are better. It can make all sad.
Original Story
NIOBE
“... Like Niobe, all tears.”
Shakespeare.
The quotation is an overworked quotation, like many another of those from Hamlet; yet, have half of those whose lips utter it more than the vaguest acquaintance with the story of Niobe and the cause of her tears? The noble group—attributed to Praxiteles—of Niobe and her last remaining child, in the Uffizi Palace at Florence, has been so often reproduced that it also has helped to make the anguished figure of the Theban queen a familiar one in pictorial tragedy, so that as long as the works of those Titans of art, Shakespeare and Praxiteles, endure, no other monument is wanted for the memory of Niobe.
Like many of the tales of mythology, her tragedy is a story of vengeance wreaked upon a mortal by an angry god. She was the daughter of Tantalus, and her husband was Amphion, King of Thebes, himself a son of Zeus. To her were born seven fair daughters and seven beautiful and gallant sons, and it was not because of her own beauty, nor her husband’s fame, nor their proud descent and the greatness of their kingdom, that the Queen of Thebes was arrogant in her pride. Very sure she was that no woman had ever borne children like her own children, whose peers were not to be found on earth nor in heaven. Even in our own day there are mortal mothers who feel as Niobe felt.
But amongst the Immortals there was also a mother with children whom she counted as peerless. Latona, mother of Apollo and Diana, was magnificently certain that in all time, nor in eternity to come, could there be a son and daughter so perfect in beauty, in wisdom, and in power as the two that were her own. Loudly did she proclaim her proud belief, and when Niobe heard it she laughed in scorn.
“The goddess has a son and a daughter,” she said. “Beautiful and wise and powerful they may be, but I have borne seven daughters and seven sons, and each son is more than the peer of Apollo, each daughter more than the equal of Diana, the moon-goddess!”
And to her boastful words Latona gave ear, and anger began to grow in her heart.
Each year the people of Thebes were wont to hold a great festival in honour of Latona and her son and daughter, and it was an evil day for Niobe when she came upon the adoring crowd that, laurel-crowned, bore frankincense to lay before the altars of the gods whose glories they had assembled together to celebrate.
“Oh foolish ones!” she said, and her voice was full of scorn, “am I not greater than Latona? I am the daughter of a goddess, my husband, the king, the son of a god. Am I not fair? am I not queenly as Latona herself? And, of a surety, I am richer by far than the goddess who has but one daughter and one son. Look on my seven noble sons! behold the beauty of my seven daughters, and see if they in beauty and all else do not equal the dwellers in Olympus!”
And when the people looked, and shouted aloud, for in truth Niobe and her children were like unto gods, their queen said, “Do not waste thy worship, my people. Rather make the prayers to thy king and to me and to my children who buttress us round and make our strength so great, that fearlessly we can despise the gods.”
In her home on the Cynthian mountain top, Latona heard the arrogant words of the queen of Thebes, and even as a gust of wind blows smouldering ashes into a consuming fire, her growing anger flamed into rage. She called Apollo and Diana to her, and commanded them to avenge the blasphemous insult which had been given to them and to their mother. And the twin gods listened with burning hearts.
“Truly shalt thou be avenged!” cried Apollo. “The shameless one shall learn that not unscathed goes she who profanes the honour of the mother of the deathless gods!”
And with their silver bows in their hands, Apollo, the smiter from afar, and Diana, the virgin huntress, hasted to Thebes. There they found all the noble youths of the kingdom pursuing their sports. Some rode, some were having chariot-races, and excelling in all things were the seven sons of Niobe.
Apollo lost no time. A shaft from his quiver flew, as flies a bolt from the hand of Zeus, and the first-born of Niobe fell, like a young pine broken by the wind, on the floor of his winning chariot. His brother, who followed him, went on the heels of his comrade swiftly down to the Shades. Two of the other sons of Niobe were wrestling together, their great muscles moving under the skin of white satin that covered their perfect bodies, and as they gripped each other, yet another shaft was driven from the bow of Apollo, and both lads fell, joined by one arrow, on the earth, and there breathed their lives away.
Their elder brother ran to their aid, and to him, too, came death, swift and sure. The two youngest, even as they cried for mercy to an unknown god, were hurried after them by the unerring arrows of Apollo. The cries of those who watched this terrible slaying were not long in bringing Niobe to the place where her sons lay dead. Yet, even then, her pride was unconquered, and she defied the gods, and Latona, to whose jealousy she ascribed the fate of her “seven spears.”
“Not yet hast thou conquered, Latona!” she cried. “My seven sons lie dead, yet to me still remain the seven perfect lovelinesses that I have borne. Try to match them, if thou canst, with the beauty of thy two! Still am I richer than thou, O cruel and envious mother of one daughter and one son!”
But even as she spoke, Diana had drawn her bow, and as the scythe of a mower quickly cuts down, one after the other, the tall white blossoms in the meadow, so did her arrows slay the daughters of Niobe. When one only remained, the pride of Niobe was broken. With her arms round the little slender frame of her golden-haired youngest born, she looked up to heaven, and cried upon all the gods for mercy.
“She is so little!” she wailed. “So young—so dear! Ah, spare me one,” she said, “only one out of so many!”
But the gods laughed. Like a harsh note of music sounded the twang of Diana’s bow. Pierced by a silver arrow, the little girl lay dead. The dignity of Latona was avenged.
Overwhelmed by despair, King Amphion killed himself, and Niobe was left alone to gaze on the ruin around her. For nine days she sat, a Greek Rachel, weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they were not. On the tenth day, the sight was too much even for the superhuman hearts of the gods to endure. They turned the bodies into stone and themselves buried them. And when they looked on the face of Niobe and saw on it a bleeding anguish that no human hand could stay nor the word of any god comfort, the gods were merciful. Her grief was immortalised, for Niobe, at their will, became a stone, and was carried by a wailing tempest to the summit of Mount Sipylus, in Lydia, where a spring of Argos bore her name. Yet although a rock was Niobe, from her blind eyes of stone the tears still flowed, a clear stream of running water, symbol of a mother’s anguish and never-ending grief.
Story DNA
Moral
Excessive pride and boasting, especially when directed at the gods, will inevitably lead to devastating consequences.
Plot Summary
Niobe, Queen of Thebes, boasts of her fourteen children, claiming superiority over the goddess Latona, who has only two. Enraged by Niobe's hubris, Latona commands her children, Apollo and Diana, to avenge her honor. Apollo slays all seven of Niobe's sons, and Diana then slays all seven of her daughters, even as Niobe desperately pleads for mercy. Overwhelmed by despair, Niobe's husband commits suicide, and Niobe herself is transformed by the gods into a weeping stone on Mount Sipylus, eternally shedding tears for her lost children.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to utter despair
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
This is a classical Greek myth, reflecting ancient Greek beliefs about the power of the gods and the dangers of human arrogance. The reference to Praxiteles and the Uffizi Palace places the retelling within a context of classical art and literature.
Plot Beats (12)
- Niobe, Queen of Thebes, boasts of her fourteen children, believing them superior to the gods.
- Niobe publicly mocks the goddess Latona, who has only two children, Apollo and Diana.
- Latona, hearing Niobe's arrogant words, becomes enraged and summons Apollo and Diana.
- Apollo descends to Thebes and systematically kills all seven of Niobe's sons with his arrows while they are engaged in sports.
- Niobe arrives at the scene of her sons' deaths but remains defiant, continuing to taunt Latona about her remaining daughters.
- Diana then begins to kill Niobe's seven daughters with her arrows, one by one.
- Niobe's pride finally breaks as her daughters are slain, and she desperately pleads for the life of her youngest child.
- Diana kills the last daughter, leaving Niobe utterly bereft.
- King Amphion, Niobe's husband, commits suicide in despair.
- Niobe sits weeping for nine days over her dead children.
- The gods, moved by her unending grief, turn the bodies of her children to stone and bury them.
- The gods then transform Niobe into a weeping stone on Mount Sipylus, from which a stream of tears perpetually flows.
Characters
Niobe ★ protagonist
A queenly figure, described as fair and beautiful, with a regal bearing. Her body, though human, is likened to that of a goddess in its perfection. After her children's deaths, she is overwhelmed by despair, eventually turning into a stone figure on Mount Sipylus, from which tears perpetually flow.
Attire: As Queen of Thebes, she would wear elaborate, flowing chiton or peplos made of fine linen or silk, possibly adorned with gold embroidery or a patterned border (klavos). Her attire would be indicative of her royal status in ancient Greece, perhaps with a diadem or intricate hair ornaments.
Wants: To assert her superiority and the unparalleled beauty and strength of her children over all others, including the gods. Later, her motivation becomes to protect her last remaining child and then to express her unending grief.
Flaw: Her overwhelming hubris and pride (hubris) in her children, which leads her to openly defy and insult the gods.
Transforms from an arrogant, proud queen who defies the gods to a broken, despairing mother who loses everything, ultimately becoming a weeping stone, an eternal symbol of grief.
Arrogant, boastful, proud, defiant, deeply loving (of her children), despairing, unyielding in grief.
Image Prompt & Upload
A regal Theban queen, adult, with a commanding presence. She has a proud, beautiful face, with a straight nose and full lips, and dark, wavy hair styled in an elaborate updo with gold pins. She wears a flowing, deep purple chiton made of fine linen, with a gold-embroidered border, and a matching peplos draped over one shoulder. Her posture is upright and defiant, with her chin slightly raised. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Latona ⚔ antagonist
A magnificent and powerful goddess, mother of Apollo and Diana. Her form is likely radiant and perfect, embodying divine beauty and power.
Attire: As a goddess, she would wear flowing, ethereal robes, perhaps of a shimmering white or silver, made of a fabric that seems to glow. Her attire would be simple yet majestic, emphasizing her divine nature rather than earthly wealth.
Wants: To defend her honor and the honor of her children, Apollo and Diana, against Niobe's blasphemous boasts.
Flaw: Her pride in her children and her susceptibility to anger when insulted.
Remains consistent in her divine power and resolve to punish those who disrespect the gods.
Proud (of her children), easily angered by insult, vengeful, powerful, just (in her own divine view).
Image Prompt & Upload
A majestic Olympian goddess, ageless and radiant, with a serene yet stern expression. She has long, dark, wavy hair flowing down her back, and piercing, luminous eyes. She wears a flowing, shimmering white chiton made of ethereal fabric, draped elegantly around her form, with a simple gold band at the waist. Her posture is upright and commanding, with an air of divine authority. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Apollo ⚔ antagonist
A beautiful and gallant young god, described as the 'smiter from afar'. He possesses a perfect physique, embodying youthful strength and divine grace.
Attire: As a Greek god, he would wear a simple chiton or a short tunic, possibly made of fine linen, often depicted with a cloak (himation) draped over one shoulder. His attire would be practical for a hunter and archer, yet still divine.
Wants: To avenge the insult to his mother, Latona, and to uphold the honor of the gods.
Flaw: His intense loyalty to his mother and his quickness to anger when divine honor is challenged.
Remains consistent as an instrument of divine vengeance.
Vengeful, swift, powerful, obedient (to his mother), precise.
Image Prompt & Upload
A handsome young Greek god, appearing as a young adult, with a muscular yet graceful physique. He has golden, wavy hair styled in a youthful manner, and piercing blue eyes. He wears a short, white linen chiton, leaving his arms and legs bare, with a red cloak draped over his left shoulder. He holds a silver bow in his left hand and a quiver of arrows is slung across his back. His expression is stern and focused. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Diana ⚔ antagonist
A beautiful and powerful virgin huntress, twin sister of Apollo. Her form is athletic and graceful, embodying the strength and agility of a hunter.
Attire: As a virgin huntress, she would wear a short chiton, typically green or white, made of linen, allowing for freedom of movement. She would likely have hunting boots and a quiver.
Wants: To avenge the insult to her mother, Latona, and to uphold the honor of the gods.
Flaw: Her intense loyalty to her mother and her quickness to anger when divine honor is challenged.
Remains consistent as an instrument of divine vengeance.
Vengeful, swift, powerful, obedient (to her mother), precise.
Image Prompt & Upload
A graceful young Greek goddess, appearing as a young adult, with an athletic and slender build. She has dark, wavy hair pulled back in a practical braid, and sharp, focused brown eyes. She wears a short, forest-green linen chiton, cinched at the waist with a leather belt, and sturdy brown hunting boots. A quiver of arrows is slung across her back, and she holds a silver bow in her right hand. Her expression is determined and serious. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Amphion ◆ supporting
King of Thebes, a son of Zeus. He would possess a regal and noble appearance, befitting his lineage and status.
Attire: As King of Thebes, he would wear a royal chiton and himation, possibly in deep colors like purple or blue, made of fine wool or linen, with gold trim. He might wear a simple laurel wreath or a gold circlet as a crown.
Wants: To rule his kingdom, to live with his family. Later, his motivation is to escape the unbearable grief of losing his children.
Flaw: His inability to cope with the immense tragedy that befalls his family, leading to suicide.
From a proud king to a man overwhelmed by despair, ending his own life.
Noble, despairing, ultimately suicidal due to grief.
Image Prompt & Upload
A mature Greek king, adult, with a noble and strong build. He has a neatly trimmed dark beard and dark, wavy hair, crowned with a simple gold circlet. He wears a flowing, deep blue chiton made of fine wool, with a gold-embroidered border, and a matching himation draped over his shoulders. His posture is initially regal, but his expression is one of deep sorrow and despair. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Niobe's Youngest Daughter ○ minor
A 'little slender frame', described as 'so little' and 'so young'.
Attire: As a child of royalty, she would wear a simple, yet finely made, chiton of light linen, perhaps in a pastel color, appropriate for a young girl in ancient Greece.
Wants: To survive, to be spared.
Flaw: Her youth and helplessness against divine power.
Dies tragically, despite her mother's pleas, marking the final act of divine vengeance.
Innocent, fearful, vulnerable.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, slender Greek girl, appearing as a child, with a delicate build. She has long, wavy golden hair flowing down her back, and wide, fearful blue eyes. She wears a simple, light pink linen chiton, reaching her knees, with a thin gold trim. Her posture is one of fear, clutching at an unseen figure, looking up with a pleading expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Thebes Festival Ground
An open area in Thebes where citizens gather for religious festivals, adorned with laurel-crowned crowds bearing frankincense to lay before altars. The atmosphere is initially reverent and celebratory.
Mood: Initially reverent and festive, later tense and defiant due to Niobe's blasphemy.
Niobe publicly boasts and scorns Latona, inciting the goddess's wrath.
Image Prompt & Upload
A wide, open public square in ancient Thebes, paved with large, worn stone slabs. In the foreground, a crowd of citizens, some wearing laurel wreaths, gather around a series of simple stone altars, offering frankincense. The background features classical Greek architecture with fluted columns and pediments under a bright, clear sky. Warm sunlight illuminates the scene from the left, casting soft shadows. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Thebes Sports Arena/Training Ground
An open field or track in Thebes where noble youths engage in athletic pursuits like riding, chariot-racing, and wrestling. The ground is likely dusty or grassy from the activities.
Mood: Initially vibrant and competitive, quickly turning to horror and despair as Niobe's sons are slain.
Apollo slays Niobe's seven sons with his arrows during their sports.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sun-drenched, dusty athletic field in ancient Thebes, surrounded by low, rolling hills in the distance. In the foreground, a simple, circular dirt track is visible, with scattered patches of dry grass. Several youths are engaged in activities: one on a racing chariot, others wrestling on the ground. The air is clear, and the bright midday sun casts sharp, short shadows. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Thebes Palace Grounds
The immediate vicinity of Niobe's palace, likely a courtyard or garden, where her daughters are present. This area becomes the final scene of the tragedy.
Mood: Desperate and tragic, filled with Niobe's wails and the swift, silent death of her daughters.
Diana slays Niobe's seven daughters, and Niobe is transformed into a weeping stone.
Image Prompt & Upload
A grand, yet now desolate, courtyard within an ancient Greek palace in Thebes. The ground is paved with large, smooth marble slabs, leading to a portico with tall, Doric columns. Scattered around are the still forms of young women, dressed in classical Greek attire. The sky above is a pale, mournful blue, and the light is stark and unforgiving, highlighting the tragedy. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Mount Sipylus (Lydia)
A rugged mountain peak in Lydia, windswept and desolate, where Niobe, transformed into a stone, is carried by a tempest. A spring of Argos flows from her 'blind eyes of stone'.
Mood: Desolate, mournful, eternal grief, stark and elemental.
Niobe, now a stone, is placed on Mount Sipylus, eternally weeping.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dramatic, craggy peak of Mount Sipylus in Lydia, composed of rough, grey-brown rock formations. A powerful, swirling tempest engulfs the summit, with dark, heavy clouds and visible wind currents. At the very top, a large, humanoid stone formation, resembling a weeping woman, is subtly integrated into the rock face. From its 'eyes', a thin, clear stream of water trickles down the weathered stone. The light is dim and diffused by the storm, creating a somber, ancient mood. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
