a. and sb. [ad. Gr. Θηβαΐς, -ιδ-, L. Thēbais, -id-] a. adj. Pertaining to Thebes; usually b. sb. the territory belonging to (a) Egyptian, or (b) Bœotian Thebes; the name of certain poems, esp. that of Statius relating to Bœotian Thebes.
[1687. Lovell, trans. Thevenot’s Trav., I. 175. Captos, a Town of the Thebais (the Ruines whereof are still to be seen bewixt Cossir and Chana).]
1727–41. Chambers, Cycl., Thebaid, Thebais, a famous heroic poem of Statius.
1776. Mickle, trans. Camoens’ Lusiad, Introd. 146. The Iliad, the Eneid, and all those poems which may be classed with the Thebaid.
1839. Civil Engin. & Arch. Jrnl., II. 453/2. Thebaid [porphyry] red ground, with yellow spots.
1854. Whittier, Hermit of Thebaid, 115. Its holiest saint the Thebaid lost, And found a man!
1876. Gladstone, Homeric Synchr., 241. Ammon was the god especially of the Thebaid.
