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Laius was a king of Thebes in Greek mythology. He is most famously known as the father of Oedipus. An oracle warned Laius that his son would kill him. In an attempt to avert this prophecy, Laius had his infant son, Oedipus, exposed on a mountainside. However, Oedipus survived, was adopted by another king, and later, in a quarrel, unknowingly killed Laius. This tragic event fulfilled the prophecy and set in motion the events of the Oedipus myth.123

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