The Heracleidæ (Heracleidae): (Herakles' Children)
By Euripides
3.5/5
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About this ebook
Euripides
Euripides was a tragedian of classical Athens. He was born on Salamis Island around 480 BC to his mother, Cleito, and father, Mnesarchus, a retailer who lived in a village near Athens. He had two disastrous marriages, and both his wives—Melite and Choerine (the latter bearing him three sons)—were unfaithful. He became a recluse, making a home for himself in a cave on Salamis. Along with Aeschylus and Sophocles, he is one of the three ancient Greek tragedians for whom any plays have survived in full. He became, in the Hellenistic Age, a cornerstone of ancient literary education. The details of his death are uncertain.
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Reviews for The Heracleidæ (Heracleidae)
14 ratings1 review
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The silent children of Herakles, under the care of a family retainer and harried from city to city by their hostile uncle, are cornered at a temple near Marathon and throw themselves on the mercy of Athens. The action develops rapidly - success, then reverse; threat, then reverse. Over and over again, the tables are turned, offering the audience a chance to judge what makes characters admirable: right action and equanimity, in good times and bad. The characters are cleanly drawn and offer strong contrasts with one another. The interpretive introduction by the translator is very helpful, offering vital context for understanding the meaning an ancient Greek audience would have attached to the various characters' speeches and actions. The introduction also suggests that, at the time it was first performed, (during the Pelopennesian War, with Athens locked in war with Sparta, whose rulers claimed descent from the children of Herakles) the play may have raised uncomfortable questions for Athenians of the extent to which the war had compromised Athenian values of hospitality and right conduct towards opponents. I'd love to see this play performed.
Book preview
The Heracleidæ (Heracleidae) - Euripides
The Heraclidæ
by Euripides
literally translated or revised
by
theodore alois buckley,
of christ church.
Wilder Publications
Copyright © 2014 Wilder Publications
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
ISBN 978-1-63384-599-2
The Heraclidæ
Persons Represented
Iolaus
Copreus
Chorus
Demophoon
Apollo
Macaria
Servant
Alcmena
Messenger
Eurystheus
The Argument
Iolaus, son of Iphiclus, and nephew of Hercules, whom he had joined in his expeditions during his youth, in his old age protected his sons. For the sons of Hercules having been driven out of every part of Greece by Eurystheus, he came with them to Athens; and, embracing the altars of the Gods, was safe, Demophoon being king of the city; and when Copreus, the herald of Eurystheus, wished to remove the suppliants, he prevented him. Upon this he departed, threatening war. Demophoon despised him; but hearing the oracles promise him victory if he sacrificed the most noble Athenian virgin to Ceres, he was grieved; not wishing to slay either his own daughter, or that of any citizen, for the sake of the suppliants. But Macaria, one of the daughters of Hercules, hearing of the prediction, willingly devoted herself. They honored her for her noble death, and, knowing that their enemies were at hand, went forth to battle. The play ends with their victory, and the capture of Eurystheus.
IOLAUS.
This has long since been my established opinion, the just man is born for his neighbors; but he who has a mind bent upon gain is both useless to the city and disagreeable to deal with, but best for himself. And I know this, not having learned it by word of mouth; for I, through shame, and reverencing the ties of kindred, when it was in my power to dwell quietly in Argos, partook of more of Hercules’ labors, while he was with us, than any one man besides: and now that he dwells in heaven, keeping these his children under my wings, I preserve them, I myself being in want of safety. For since their father was removed from the earth, first Eurystheus wished to kill me, but I escaped; and my country indeed is no more, but my life is saved, and I wander in exile, migrating from one city to another. For, in addition to my other ills, Eurystheus has chosen to insult me with this insult; sending heralds whenever on earth he learns we are settled, he demands us, and drives us out of the land; alleging the city of Argos, one not paltry either to be friends with or to make an enemy, and himself too prospering as he is; but they seeing my weak state, and that these too are little, and