十年光阴荏苒，底比斯战役中英勇牺牲的英雄们遗腹子们决定再次扬帆赴底比斯，为他们不朽的父亲们复仇。这些后辈英雄共八人，他们是安菲阿拉俄斯之子的阿尔克迈翁和安菲罗科斯，阿德拉斯托斯之子的埃癸阿勒俄斯，堤丢斯之子狄俄墨得斯，帕耳忒诺派俄斯之子普洛玛科斯，卡帕纽斯之子斯特涅罗斯，以及波吕尼刻克斯之子忒耳珊特罗斯和墨喀特修思的儿子欧律阿罗斯。尽管墨喀特修思本非七位英雄之一，他却是国王阿德拉斯特所信任的大臣。

在准备出征前，这些英勇少年聚集于神庙，对着宙司祷告，以便获得神谕指引他们选择一位统帅。神谕显灵，让他们选定最为合适的人选——无疑是那位勇敢而敏锐的领袖——阿尔克迈翁。

然而，在即将启程之前，阿尔克迈翁内心充满了矛盾。他知道自己要担负起领导这个伟大的使命，但他也渴望为他的父亲报仇。在这时，他母亲厄里菲勒突然拿出了一个被认为带有诅咒的项链，并且还获得了一面由女神雅典娜赠予的面纱。这件面纱曾经属于波吕尼刻克斯的一员，是他用来贿赂厄里菲勒以说服她儿子参加这场战争。

为了遵循天意和神谕的旨意，尽管心里犹豫不决，Arkeiom nonetheless accepted the role of leader, promising to return and avenge his father after the war. He established a powerful army in Aegae, with many brave warriors joining from neighboring cities.

With an imposing force at their command, they besieged Thebes once more, engaging in fierce battles reminiscent of their fathers' exploits ten years prior. However, this time they were fortunate enough to emerge victorious under Arkeiom's leadership; only Adrastus's son Euryalos fell in battle at the hands of Laodamas.

The Thebans lost their leader and many soldiers and retreated behind city walls. Seeking advice from the blind prophet Tiresias still alive but aged over 100 years old. His counsel was for them to send emissaries to negotiate peace terms with the enemy while making a hasty retreat.

The Thebans took his advice and sent envoys during negotiations loaded with family members on carts out of Thebes. Under cover of darkness they reached Acraephia where night brought death upon Tiresias who had escaped by drinking cold water too quickly.

In contrast, his daughter Manto remained within city limits as she was deemed sacred by her captors who believed that Apollo would be pleased with such sacrifice given her prophetic gifts inherited from her father. Thus she became one half of Apollo's priestess duo along with Homer known as ancient Greece’s most celebrated bard being taught poetry by Manto herself which spread far reaching fame among Greeks later on.