 When the expedition reached Cithaeron, Tydeus was sent ahead to demand that the Thebans reinstate Polynices.Frustrated with being ignored by Eteocles, Tydeus issued one-on-one challenges to multiple men and vanquished each one with power granted to him by Athena.While Tydeus returned to his allies, the Thebans amassed a force of fifty men, led by Maeon and Polyphontes, and ambushed him.