Crossword Genius

Top unfinished article started in ancient city (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

thebes

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'ancient city' is the definition.
(ancient Greek city)

'top unfinished article started' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'article' could be 'the' (the definite article in English) and 'the' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'bes' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'in' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for thebes that I've seen before include "Ancient city, a rival to Athens" , "Ancient Nile city" , "Old Egyptian city" , "Greek city of Oedipus" , "Greek city founded by Cadmus" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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