Tiresias was a legendary blind prophet of the god Apollo, based in the city of Thebes. He was the son of the shepherd Everes and the nymph Chariclo. He is best known for his extraordinary gift of clairvoyance and a unique mythological transformation in which he lived as a woman for seven years.
His influence in Theban history was profound, as he served as an advisor to the city's founder, Cadmus. Tiresias is said to have lived through seven generations of Theban history, acting as a constant, albeit sightless, witness to the city's unfolding fate. His presence in mythology highlights the theme of the blind seer who possesses deeper insight into the divine will than those with physical sight.