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There are two kings in Greek mythology named Creon, or Kreeon ("ruler"), and one historical person.

Creon, son of Menoeceus, was the king of the city of Thebes, Greece and the father of Haemon and Megara by his wife, Eurydice. Creon and his sister, Jocasta, were descendants of Cadmus and of the Spartoi.

Jocasta's husband, Laius, who was the king of Thebes, gave the rule to Creon while he went to consult the oracle at Delphi (See Laius). During Laius's absence, the sphinx came to Thebes. When word came of Laius's death, Creon offered a part of the rule of Thebes, as well as his sister's hand, to anyone who could free the city from the Sphinx. Oedipus answered the Sphinx's riddle and married Jocasta, unaware that she was his mother. (See Oedipus). When this was discovered, Oedipus exiled himself and left the rule of Thebes to Creon.

Oedipus's sons, Eteocles and Polynices, shared the rule jointly until they quarreled, and Eteocles expelled his brother. Polynices gathered an army and attacked the city of Thebes. (See Seven Against Thebes). Although both sons of Oedipus were killed, the Thebans won the war, leaving Creon as king once more, serving as regent for Laodamas, the son of Eteocles.

Creon denied burial to Polynices. However, Antigone, the daughter of Oedipus and Jocasta, who was betrothed to Creon's son, Haemon, defied him, and was entombed alive. Creon finally relented, but found that Antigone and Haemon had killed themselves, and that his wife, Eurydice, had stabbed herself in grief. Creon was forced to allow burial for the Argives by an army led by Theseus.

In Creon's old age, a descendant of an earlier king of Thebes, named Lycus invaded Thebes and after killing Creon, took the rule.

Creon is featured in many Greek tragedies, including Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone, and Phoenician Women.

Creon was a King of Corinth and father of Creusa or Glauce, Jason's second wife whom Medea murdered. Medea presented Creusa with a cursed dress, as a wedding gift, that stuck to her body and burned her to death as soon as she put it on. Creon burnt to death with his daughter as he tried to save her. Creon's wife sold Tisiphone into slavery.

Creon was also the first Archon of Athens after the position was limited to a term of one year, in 683 BC.