The House of Admetus: Eumelus, The Lost Trilogy of Plays by Agathon

By Steve Matthew Benner

This is the first play in the trilogy House of Admetus by Agathon. This covers the triumphant return of King Eumelus and his son, Admetus, from the Trojan War. During the welcoming feast, the younger son, Promachos, plans to kill his eldest brother with poison administered by his mother. When the plot is reveled and the mother and son capture, the King must decide the fate of his wife and son on their charge of treason. The King is torn by the decision since he deeply loves both his wife and son and cannot stand the idea of putting them to death.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steve Matthew Benner
• Release date: Oct 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310911330

Steve Matthew Benner

Dr. Steve M. Benner received his Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Ohio State University in 1979 and has worked in industry, academia, and the federal government. He retired from NASA at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland in 2016 after 28 years of service. He has written numerous scientific articles as well as several articles on ancient history. Dr. Benner's extensive knowledge of science and history has led to his having an ego the size of New Jersey and may account for his being one of the most self-centered people in America today.

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The House of Admetus: Eumelus

The Lost Trilogy of Plays by Agathon

Steve Matthew Benner

Smashwords Edition

Copyright Steve M. Benner 2014

DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

Eumelus, King of Pherae and Iolkos

Admetus, older son of Eumelus and Laodamia

Iphthime, second wife of Eumelus

Promachos, young son of Eumelus and Iphthime

Teuthras, childhood friend of Admetus

Demnosia, daughter of Priam awarded to Eumelus as spoil (non-speaking)

Henicea, daughter of Priam awarded to Admetus as spoil (non-speaking)

Chorus, women whose husbands, sons, and brothers went to Troy

SCENE: Pherae in southeastern Thessaly

TIME: The heroic age

DATE: 11 years after the fall of Troy

A man in his late 20’s paces excitedly back and forth outside the King’s palace. He has a pronounced limp.

TEUTHRAS:I await the return of King Eumelus, son of Admetus and Alcestis, the loveliest daughter of King Pelias of Iolkos. Our beloved King, gone these eleven years to fight below the walls of Troy, leading the strong young men of Pherae and Iolkos to victory. Though just a boy of less than a score years, his eldest son, Admetus, went with his father to stand beside him on the plains of Ilium and gain renown for this city and the Achaeans. The prince was the only issue of Eumelus and Laodamia, who was taken by Eileithyia soon after his birth. I have not seen my friend, Admetus, since he left on one of the eleven ships that sailed from Pagasae on wine-dark seas so long ago. I watched our glorious army in shining bronze march through the city gate on its way to the fleet along roads lined with cheering crowds. Little did we know then that it would be more than a decade before we would see them again and still only a small fraction of those that left. The fleet has returned to our shore with but four vessels of the original eleven. King Eumelus and son now travel triumphantly from the coast to their palace here in Pherae. Crowds of men and women welcoming their King back again line the roads, though the cheering is more subdued than that upon their departure. I can clearly see the road stretching south in the mid-day light of the Titan’s chariot, winding near the blue waters of Lake Boebea. I watch for the procession, to tell the Queen, Iphthime, and her son, Promachos, of their King’s arrival, of the husband and father’s return. The palace bustles with activity as slaves and servants, family and friends, prepare for the banquet that will celebrate the safe arrival of those that have returned.

I so longed to go with my friend to fight in Ilium, to gain everlasting fame fighting by his side, but Poseidon saw fit to deny me this blessing by laming me when I was but 14. I am now blessed with life and family, but my passing will leave no mark on the annals of heroes. Though I can now rejoice in the deeds of my friend and his father. We have heard the stories of great deeds against the horse breakers of Troy from the soldiers of Agamemnon and Menelaus, great captains of the Achaeans. Agamemnon brutally murdered by his treacherous wife upon his return to Mycenae, and his brother, Menelaus, returning with his unfaithful wife, Helen, to rule over Sparta. At the battle of the ships at Troy, we were told how our