Mention of “tribute” paid the Sphinx might recall the tribute Athens demands of members of the Delian league. Their refusal to pay is the basis for their rebellion and their importuning Sparta for protection, leading to the present war and the plague that has accompanied it. In Thebes plague and Sphinx are separate events; in Athens they occur simultaneously. The Thebans’ expectation that Oidipous’s success with one has implications for his success with the other suggests that the same relationship may hold in Athens: resolution of plague and war are not separate matters. If the leadership can succeed in addressing one, it should be able to address the other. Has the leadership got the capacity to deal with problems of divine origin? If it has not, and if that capacity is required to win the war, can it expect to prevail over Sparta? [Gt-a] [Mw] [Mp]