HERACLES

HYPOTHESIS: Heracles after his marriage with Megara,
daughter of Creon, had children by her. . . . Leaving
his sons in Thebes, he himself went to Argos to ac-
complish his labors for Eurystheus. After he had pre-
vailed in all of them, he descended to Hades and
passed a long time there and then returned, to the
surprise of the living, who had thought him dead.
While the Thebans were embroiled in civil strife
against Creon the king, a usurper from Euboea by the
name of Lycus. ... *
SCENE: Before the palace of Heracles at Thebes. In the
foreground is the altar of Zeus. On its steps, in the
posture of suppliants, sit the aged Amphitryon, Me-
gara, and her three small sons. Amphitryon rises and
speaks the prologue.
Amphitryon
What mortal lives who has not heard this name—
Amphitryon of Argos, who shared his wife
with Zeus? I am he: son of Alcaeus
Perseus' son, but father of Heracles.
Here I settled, in this Thebes, where once the earth
was sown with dragonteeth and sprouted men;
and Ares saved a few that they might people
Cadmus' city with their children's children.
From these sown men Creon was descended,
son of Menoeceus and our late king.
This lady is Megara, Creon's daughter,
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