The first point delivered by the message is that Oidipous is to be made ruler (τύραννον) of Corinth. While Kamerbeek insists that “there is absolutely no difference with βασιλέα,” τύραννον, which can apply to a city as well as an individual (not applicable to βασιλέα), is suggestive of the relationship between Athens and her client cities, including Corinth. It would be good news in Athens to hear that Corinth had reaffirmed Athenian hegemony; the problem is that that is as unlikely as it is that the Corinthian’s news will be helpful to Oidipous, because Oidipous’s suffering does not stem from Corinth; it stems rather from his and his parents’ relations with Delphic Apollo. The Athenian audience may now consider its own predicament in relation both to its relations with Delphic Apollo and its geopolitical relationships. If it were to consult Delphi about the plague or the war, it could expect to be instructed to compromise with Corinth, Sparta, and the other cities in league with them; it would have to revisit its commitment to maintain hegemony as it currently stands. [Gt-a] [Mw] [Mi] [Mg]