Iokaste has been prognosticating prophecy’s demise to Oidipous at most since the middle of the play—a very short time, although she may have been celebrating her victory over prophecy ever since Laios’ death or even since giving orders for the only child born to her and Laios to be put to death. The god, on the other hand, appears to have been working towards the realization of his prophecies since Oidipous’s conception (assuming Laios’ killer had to be a male; if not, then since Oidipous’s birth). Since the recognition of a prophecy’s fulfillment may take decades, one cannot safely draw any conclusions from the appearance that a prophecy has not been fulfilled within a short time of its pronouncement. For Athens’ engagement in a war that must defeat not only Sparta and its allies but the god’s prophecy, this suggests that a declaration of victory over prophecy cannot ever reasonably be made. [Mp] [Apa] [Mpea]