The central conflict arises from the bitter struggle for the throne of Thebes between the brothers Eteocles and Polynices, fueled by the curse of their father, Oedipus. The narrative follows the brothers as they mobilize armies and divine forces to secure their claim, leading to a catastrophic war that ravages the city. Statius employs a formal epic structure, utilizing elevated language and mythological intervention to frame the moral decay and inevitable destruction of the royal house. The poem operates within the constraints of classical fate, where human agency is constantly mediated by the whims of the gods and the weight of ancestral sins.

Discussion often centers on the poem's complex relationship with its literary predecessors, particularly the influence of Virgil and Homer on Statius's narrative construction. Readers frequently highlight the intense, often dark atmosphere that permeates the work, noting how the poet balances grand-scale military action with intimate moments of human suffering. Critics often examine the effectiveness of the poem's moral framework, specifically how the curse of Oedipus serves as a catalyst for the relentless cycle of violence. The work is frequently praised for its technical precision and its ability to maintain a high level of dramatic tension throughout its twelve-book span. Scholars continue to debate the nuances of the translation, focusing on how well the English text preserves the original Latin's rhythmic and rhetorical power.