Although Oidipous does not seem to understand that Iokaste’s question implicitly entertains the possibility of a divine source for the charges against him, he confirms that implication, for a plot to indict him for Laios’ murder based upon the testimony of a seer can only succeed if the jury takes the seer seriously; it must believe in the authenticity and veracity of his statements. Like his wife and mother, Oidipous expresses a cynical disdaim for prophetic media. In his view they serve the purpose of doing others’ “dirty work,” which consists in false speech for political purposes. The public is again regarded as naïve for its trust in prophecy. The audience (consisting largely of the Athenian public) knows, however, that everything Teiresias revealed or even hinted about Oidipous was true. The seer was not, as he himself said, working for Kreon but the god (ll. 376 and 410). There is no conspiracy in Thebes. Advocacy for prophecy as a resource in public affairs is not, then, necessarily a sign of conspiracy. This applies to Athens as well. If Kreon suggested consulting Teiresias, it was because he believed that the prophet might have special access to valuable insights. This also applies to those in Athens who might advocate consultation with a seer, prophet, or oracle. The parallel between Thebes and Athens can be extended. For his part, Teiresias was genuinely reluctant to speak; he was not eager to overthrow Oidipous’s rule. So, while he appears to have access to authentic insights, he claims not to be speaking even at the god’s behest. Nobody sent him: not Kreon and not even Apollo. He came only because he was summoned by Oidipous himself. He openly declared that his insights were a burden to him; he knew in advance (a sign that his insight is special and accurate) that they would not be well received and that they would not speed the town’s recovery. The god appears to understand that in this instance his seer will not be able to communicate for him. If Apollo is to help Thebes, he will have to find another way to bring its ruler to a clear understanding of his own role in the town’s pollution. [Gd] [P] [Apc] [Apa] [Ad] [Dn]