In Greek mythology, Cadmus founded the city of Thebes.
Cadmus was a Phoenician prince sent to search for his sister Europa after Zeus carried her away. When the search failed, Cadmus consulted the oracle at Delphi. He was instructed to follow a cow and build a city where the animal lay down.
Cadmus followed the cow to Boeotia, but a dragon sacred to Ares killed many of his companions. After Cadmus killed the dragon, Athena told him to sow its teeth in the ground. Armed warriors called the Spartoi sprang from the soil and fought one another until only a few survived. These survivors helped establish the new city.
Cadmus became king of Thebes and married Harmonia, daughter of Ares and Aphrodite. Their wedding was associated with the presence of the gods. Thebes later became the setting for major myths involving Oedipus, Antigone, and Dionysus.