Antigone's uncle, the tyrant Creon, leads a long and inhumane robber-war against the people of another city. Thousands are killed, including Antigone's brother, Eteokles. Creon sees her other brother, Polyneikes, leaving the unfinished battle in tears and hacks him down.

While Eteokles is given an honour-able burial, Polyneikes is called a coward and his body is left to rot. Creon orders that anyone who touches the corpse will be killed.

Antigone and her sister Ismene now face the problem of whether to bury their dead brother or follow the order of their uncle.