Modern election rhetoric rarely fails to invoke the happiness, prosperity, and security of up-and-coming generations; so it must also have been in the Athenian democracy, and Oidipous’s awareness that his offspring are contaminated stands forth as a salient condemnation of his own political leadership. This suggests that the Athenian audience consider its offspring and the consequences on them of any crimes it may at present commit. [Mg] [Mj] [Aj] [Mw]