Antigone reminds the Chorus of the death of Tantalus’ child, Niobe, who was turned into a column of stone after the deaths of her children. Niobe met her end on the heights of Mount Sipylus, and over her “stone-cold breast” the ivy clings and grows, says Antigone. The dew runs down Niobe’s cheek, and the “eternal snows” cover her and cause a “tearful stream” to pour down from the mountain. Antigone remarks that, like Niobe, she also will suffer death because it is her destiny. Like Niobe, she will be trapped in the earth.
The Chorus reminds Antigone that Niobe was born to a goddess, while Antigone is merely human. Therefore, the Chorus believes that Antigone has achieved greater glory in death, even rivaling the fate of Niobe, “a daughter of sire Divine.”