Mention of the manner of conception prompts the audience to consider how Oidipous was conceived. He means by the months, but in fact he was conceived by Laios and Iokaste under express prohibition by the god. He is ignorant of his birth, as anyone might be, except that he, unlike others, was moved to consult Delphi on the matter, where he was told something about his parents. Certainly he was not told that his parents were the months. [Mipd] [Mpei]