Courageous children; The Phoenician Women, Euripides

 

Why you might read The Phoenician Women?

This play seems to be a later retelling. It shows us what the Greeks at the time of writing thought was missing from the Oedipus story. It retells the story we see in Seven against Thebes with additions. These liberties in retelling make this an interesting addition to the overarching story.

While lesser-know this piece is important for my Self Education project. It holds this place as it completes the picture of Oedipus. It also shows how stories were changed as time went on and were not static. This is even true when very little time has passed between the authors. It is a lot like how these days we do covers of songs and make them our own.

The Story of The Phoenician Women

Iocasta, mother and wife of Oedipus, laments the situation. The situation that Oedipus' house finds itself in. The two brothers took an oath to share the throne turn about each year. While the other went into exile. This was done in fear of a prophecy that said they would die at each other's hand by the sword. But Eteocles will not give up the throne to Polyneices after his allotted time. He takes it a step further and banishes him into exile. Polyneices in exile marries a princess of Argos and is, in time, given an army to oppose his brother in Thebes. The army of Argos is drawn up in front of the city, but Iocasta has called for a truce. She puts together a meeting of the brothers to try and make a peace. 

Polyneices arrives in the city for the discussion but first, his mother asks him about being in exile. He outlines a fleeting existence as the poor man, even a prince, has few friends. He also outlines to her how he came to marry and the fortune that came from it. He also says he is reluctant to sack his own city. His father in law was persistent that he should reclaim his throne. His brother arrives and they both state their cases. Polyneices, his claim to the throne and his birthright. While Eteocles states his absolute refusal to give up the throne. Their mother pleads with them to come to an agreement but Eteocles refuses. The two brothers trade insults and resolve to meet each other in battle. Eteocles orders Polyneices out of the city and goes back to planning the battle.

Creon arrives and gives Eteocles council about the battle. The news comes that the army from Argos has chosen champions. These champions will lead forces against each gate. Creon councils Eteocles to do the same for the defence of the gates. Eteocles asks Creon to ask Theirsias for an oracle because he will not speak to Eteocles. Theirsias arrives and is reluctant to give the Oracle with Creon's son present. Creon insists, Theirsias says that in order for Thebes to win Creon must sacrifice his son. Creon reacts with horror and starts to refuse, but Theirsias says the Oracle is what the Oracle is. Theirsias leaves and Creon charges his son to flee Thebes. He hopes for him to escape before the general public hears of the oracle. Creon leaves and his son chooses instead to take his own life as sacrifice for the victory of the Thebans. He states that he would be nothing more than a coward if he did not.

A messenger enters to tell Iocasta of the battle. The messenger details Thebes' victory and how the fights went at some of the gates. He also informs Iocasta that her sons are still alive but she senses a but and forces him to continue. He then tells her that the sons have agreed to meet in solo combat. She calls Antigone and together they run to the battle in hopes of persuading the brothers not to fight.

Creon enters lamenting his son. A second messenger arrives and tells him of the death of the two brothers, he laments the house of Oedipus. The messenger then gives the details of the fight. He tells of how the brothers first injured each other but kept fighting. They fought until Eteocles killed Polyneices. Eteocles then turned his back on him and was slain before Polyneices died. Their mother and Antigone arrive and weep over them. Their mother in sadness grabs one of their swords and kills herself. He then speaks of the following confusion about who had won. He finishes with the battle and rout that followed. Here the Thebans slaughtered the army of Argos.

Antigone and the bodies of the three arrive and Antigone laments loudly their loss. Oedipus arrives from his room and is told the news and he laments. Creon reenters and focuses all present on the burials of the three. He orders as the new king that Polyneices be dumped outside the borders and unburied. He even goes so far to say he will put to death any who bury him. This is a continuation of the promise Eteocles made before the battle. He also announces that his son will marry Antigone and that Oedipus will be exiled. On hearing, this Antigone refuses that marriage. Instead, she pledges to go into exile with her father. It takes a bit for her to convince her father and this is where the play ends. 

Reflections on The Phoenician Women

I chose the subtitle of courageous children as these are the turning points in this story. First Creon's son and his focus on honour. Not wanting to be labelled a coward leads him to a sacrifice of himself for the good of his city. It is one thing when sons lay down their lives in battle for their city. To do so as a sacrifice and by his own hand is a show of courage. The second is Antigone's refusal to abandon her father to his exile. Rather than be queen, she would rather be his eyes and keep him from stumbling.

Creon appoints himself king as he is to marry the eldest remaining daughter of the line. When she refuses that position there is no talking of him not being king. This I find interesting as his claim to legitimacy walks away. I am surprised he does not force Antigone into that marriage to keep his claim to legitimacy. But he rather seems either unphased by it or it is off to little note to actually mention in the play.

It is interesting to see the dialogue between Iocasta and Polyneices. It details the sufferings of a son in exile who has found no friends. She is shocked to find he has gone hungry and that the friends of his father have abandoned him. We have seen exile many times in the Greek plays so far. This is the first time we have been shown the hardships as well as the relief of finding a benefactor.

Oedipus' rather feeble living is mentioned a few times over the course of the play. It is quickly apparent that he is miserable. Yet he counts it not compared to the exile that Creon pronounces over him at the end of the play. He Prophecies about both the misery that will come and his eventual death in a foreign land. 

What others have to say about The Phoenician Women

"“The Phoenician Women” was probably first presented, along with the two lost tragedies “Oenomaus” and “Chrysippus”" From Ancient Literature

And from Greek Mythology "Menoeceus—who represents the highest form of love: altruistic love—decides to put the needs of his larger community before his very own life"

Comparisons to other texts

Again like the story of Oedipus himself in Oedipus the King we see that family trying to outwit or outrun fate. Yet fate always wins. In Oedipus the king, Oedipus is taken to the wilderness to die. This is because the prophecies say he will kill his father and marry his mother. He survives and is taken in. Eventual heads to the Oracle to find his family. On the way kills his father. Later he kills the Sphinx in Thebes and is given the queen as a wife who turns out to be his mother. In this play we see the brothers choosing to share power. They do this to try and avoid the prophecy about them killing each other in battle. Rather than achieving that they put themselves down that very path to their deaths.

In the seconds Oedipus play Oedipus at Colonus we see Oedipus and Antigone in exile. This play fits in the intervening time. There is no suggestion in Oedipus at Colonus that he had spent any time in Thebes after losing his sight. Thus this play could have been put together to cover that intervening period. Though Euripides has taken liberty with the story. He, therefore, adds that he was in Thebes during the battle with the forces from Argos.

This also links with what I have recently read in The suppliant women. This play dealt with the burial of the vanquished champions of Argos after the loss at Thebes. It follows quite tidily chronologically after this play. Like this play shows Creon as the new king of Thebes. 

Antigone tells of what would come directly after this play. by telling of how Antigone buries her brother. In this play, we have seen her vow to do so but we must look to other sources to see this play out. That being said the play Antigone makes no reference to her going into exile with her father. Which adds more weight to my comment about this possibly being a latter addition to fill in the gap in the story. 

Conclusion

We have seen that this is not an original story but rather a retelling with additions. It also brings in characters from other plays that are not mentioned in the original. We see the children of the piece being the brave ones. The ones that are willing to sacrifice themselves for the good of others. We also looked at the legitimacy of Creon's taking the throne after Oedipus' family are dead. Also Polynices' difficulties in exile. We finished up by looking at how the story differs from the story it is based on. As well as the one it has borrowed characters from. 

Have you read The Phoenician Women? If so what did you think of it? 
 
Want to read The Phoenician Women but haven't? Please leave me a comment and let me know why you want to read it.

Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.

Get a copy of The Phoenician Women. 

Retrieving and preparing the dead; The Suppliant Women, Euripides

 

Why you might read The Suppliant Women?

This play gives greater insight into supplication in the ancient Greek world. It also reminds us of the procedure that is normally followed in ancient Greece. How personal rulers would take that process being disallowed. Even if only by one of the warring factions.

In my self-education project, it also serves to complete the Theban war. We saw this start with the sack on Thebes' seven gates. It also highlights the autonomy of different Greek cities. As well as how politics was debated between them.

The Story of The Suppliant Women

We find Aethra, mother of the king of Athens, as a supplicant to Demeter at Eleusis in Athens' jurisdiction. She is surrounded by the chorus of supplicants and they have ritually bound her there to hear their plea.

Theseus, her son, comes looking for her, as she has not returned, and finds her trapped so. He enquires of Adrastus what they are supplicant for. He is told of Argos' defeat at Thebes. They attacked to try and recapture his son-in-law's inheritance. He did this even though the gods through an oracle warned him not to. He pleads with Theseus to go and retrieve their dead for burial as the Thebans will not allow them to have them. This is a point of common Greek law that the dead can be removed even by the losers to be buried. Theseus at first refuses, chastising Adrastus for such an ill-thought-through war. His mother rebukes him and reminds him that his honour is based on doing what is right. She also reminds him that to not do it would be called a coward. 

Theseus takes the problem to the council and wins approval. He is just charging a herald to go to Thebes when one arrives from Thebes. The herald demands that they turn Adrastus out and do not come to his aid. There is then a short side track as the herald and Theseus argue about forms of government. Contrasting absolute monarchy of the Thebans with the elected office of the Athenians. He sends the message back to Thebes to give up the dead or they will go to war.

War is announced and the menfolk go to fight. A messenger returns with news that the Athenians are victorious. He tells of how they won the battle. The Thebans retreated to the wall. Theseus did not chase them as he had recovered the bodies. And their recovery was his only goal. Adrastus asks the messenger where the dead are to be buried. Their preparation is assured and everything is in hand.

The bodies arrive and are eulogised about before the decision is made to make on pyre and tomb for Capaneus. Shortly after Capaneus' widow arrives. She contrives to throw herself on his pyre and be with him in death. Her father Iphis pleads with her not to but is helpless to stop her. After she dies he laments his age and childless state.

The sons of the seven dead from Thebes enter carrying the urns of the fathers' bones. Their grandmothers are with them. Theseus goes to let them leave but Athene appears. She tells him not to let them leave until Adrastus swears and Oath. This oath is that Argos will never again attack Athens and will come to her aid in times of trouble. 

Reflections on The Suppliant Women

It is interesting to see the funeral process played out as part of a play. It shows us that the most common form of burial was that of the bones after the funeral pyre. And that before the funeral pyre the body was reassembled into its proper places. This suggests that it was not uncommon for a body to be at least partially dismembered. It is also interesting that there is no comment about decomposition. When you consider that the bodies were lying out in the field for a while. For as long as it took the supplicants to get to Athens and for the Athenian army to march to Thebes and back. Then again this is entertainment for the masses and maybe it was seen as unnecessary detail for a play. It is far to easy for me to slip back into thinking of these as history and forgetting the audience aspect.

It is amazing the difference having the gods on your side is seen to give. The king of Argos goes to war against the will of the gods. Due to this, he loses badly. This is given as a fact and nothing is said about the size of his army or the quality of his men. He is also the instigator in this war, and so has all the time he wants for planning and preparation. Then the king of Athens goes to war against the same opponent with the blessing of the gods. Even if this blessing is only by implication. He is defending the practice of allowing the dead to be removed from the battlefield even by the losers. With this blessing, he wins. Again nothing is said about the number or quality of his men. Nothing is said either of the fact that both sides agreed to and knew about the war. There was no surprise attack here. There would not have been much time for the Athenians to prepare. It would have just been calling together the army and marching. All this and yet the outcome is seen to come down to the gods blessing.

Athene's inclusion in the play is a little odd. She reminds Theseus of the best course of action. She does not add any knowledge that the mortals present did not know. As such the recommendation could have come from anyone already present. Theseus could have required that oath without prompting.

The interlude between Theseus and the herald from Thebes is quite interesting. The herald is quite strident in his opinion and almost combative with Theseus. Theseus on the other hand while just a strident is a lot more laid back in his answers to the herald. He does reprimand the herald for bringing it up at all as it is not his place to comment. 

What others have to say about The Suppliant Women

From Classical Literature "Funeral rites were very important to the ancient Greeks and the theme of not allowing the bodies of the dead to be buried occurs many times."

"It does add to the myth surrounding the defeat of the Argives at Thebes." From Ancient history encyclopedia

Comparisons with other texts

Like the Children of Heracles, we start the play with supplicants. Unlike the children of Heracles, these are not our main characters for the rest of the play. They rather they bring into view and affect the main character, Theseus. We also see his mother ceremonially trapped at the alter by the other supplicants. This seems to be an effort to gain her ear personally as much about gaining the ear of the god in question. It is interesting that Theseus' mother was on her way to pay tribute to the gods about another matter. It is also interesting that there was a way to keep her there. It must have been well established across the ancient Greek world. For it is foreigners from Argos that knew enough to bind her.

This is the first time we have seen, in direct action, the grief of a wife. It has not been unusual to see the grief of mothers. This we even see in this play as well, but the grief of this wife is severe and new to us. She is said to have run from home, presumably Argo's, to die on her husbands funeral pyre. It is interesting to note the way the play is set out. If they had not had to have fight for the bodies she may not have arrived in time.

Unlike Euripides Electra, the story is not one predominately of revenge. Rather this is wanting a proper burial for their sons, in the case of the suppliants. For Theseus, it is about protecting the values of the time. Though it is like Antigone where we see a sister desperate to bury her brother. The two plays are based on the same events the attempted sack of Thebes by seven champions. This play details the burial of the champions. Whereas Antigone deals with the burial of the son of Oedipus who lost at the head of Argos' army. 

Conclusion

We have looked at how important burial of the dead after battle was to the Greeks. As well as the interesting universality of supplication in the Greek world. We have also discussed what we can glean about the burial rights in ancient Greece. 

This play also sits after and alongside the plays Antigone and Seven against Thebe. It serves to complete the picture of Athens involvement in the war. Which is otherwise a war between Argos and Thebes.

Have you read The Suppliant Women? If so what did you think of it? 
 
Want to read The Suppliant Women but haven't? Please leave me a comment and let me know why you want to read it.

Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.

Get a copy of The Suppliant Women. 

A play of two parts; Andromache, Euripides

 Why you might read Andromache?

Andromache adds another aspect to the Orestes story. We find Orestes dotted about in the Greek plays. Together they give us a fairly complete picture of the important parts of his life. Well, those after he returns to avenge his father, we have yet to see his growing years. 

While this is one of Euripides' less well-known plays I have included it for two reasons. First, is that of completion. I decided with this project that covering the breadth of an author is of more value than touching the highlights. This gives me a broader view and focus.

Second, is that of completing some stories that would otherwise be less than complete. In this example, we only see what Orestes does in his second exile because of this play.

The Story of Andromache

 We find Andromache at the altar of Thetis in Phthia as a supplicant. She is trying to save her life from Hermione, the King's wife. Hermione is desperate to kill Andromache. Andromache was the king's concubine before he married Hermione. She has also born him a son, while Hermione is barren. Hermione blames Andromache for both her barrenness and her husband's disregard of her. Neoptolemus, the King, is away on business and so is not there to protect Andromache. Andromache has sent her son away, for his own protection. She has also sent for Peleus, the King's father to stop this plan coming to fruition. On her side, Hermione has sent for her father, the King of Sparta.

Menelaus is Hermione's father. He arrives and convinces Andromache to leave the altar or he will kill her son. He has retrieved the son from where she sent him away. After she submits to being bound, he informs her that Hermione will kill her son anyway. Menelaus makes preparations for the killing but Peleus arrives. He challenges Menelaus' authority to kill a slave he does not own. He also asks why there has been no trial and concludes that this is murder. Menelaus concedes to Peleus who unbinds Andromache. She is wary that the two will overtake them and ambush them somewhere. Peleus tells her not to worry, that he may be old but he is still capable.

Hermione's nurse enters and tells of Hermione's regret. She has regrets for the actions that have passed to the point of attempting suicide. Hermione enters and pleads with the nurse to let her kill herself. Lest her husband comes home and throws her out of the house, or worse, kill her.

Orestes arrives and Hermione tells him her troubles. Orestes resolves to take her away and to take him as his own wife as was promised to him before the war on Troy. He tells of going to Neoptolemus and pleading with him to give her as his wife but to no avail. He also tells of a plot he has to kill Neoptolemus for that very slight at the Oracle. Orestes and Hemione flee together.

Peleus returns to hear that Hermione has fled with Orestes. He also hears that Orestes has a plan to kill Neoptolemus at the shrine. A messenger enters and tells Peleus that Neoptolemus is dead. He requests the story: Orestes stirred up the people of Delphi. He did so by telling them that Neoptolemus had come to rob the temple again; with this deception, Orestes gathers a group of men to fall on them as they enter the temple. It is here that Neoptolemus dies.

Peleus laments his age and how he is childlessness. He is visited by Thetis, a goddess and his once wife, she tells him where to take Andromache and her son. She promises that the line will live on through that son. She also tells him to take Neoptolemus' remains back to Delphi and bury him there as a sign to the people of Delphi. Finally, she tells him to wait for her in a seaside cave. From there she will come and get him and make him a god and that he will live with her. 

Reflections on Andromache

This is a play of two parts, it turns rapidly about halfway through. It starts as a play about jealousy and taking that to extremes. It then switches to being about Oreste's revenge on Neoptolemus for taking his wife. He does so by taking both his wife and his life. 

These parts are both rather discrete but also very intertwined. The jealous one is none other than that double promised wife. The first half of the play is a cautionary tale of having two lovers under the same roof. This is true, even if one is a concubine and the other a wife: this causes major strife. The wife is filled with jealousy about the concubine having given her husband a son when so far she has not. We assume from the text that he is no longer sleeping with the concubine. Rather, had her before he was married and yet that is not enough to forestall the jealousy.

Peleus' lament as the play starts to draw to a close is timely. The response of Thetis is both a reminder of the truths of the situation and a promise of the fantastical. It reminds Peleus there is an illegitimate heir even if there are not legitimate ones. If he follows instructions the line can continue through that illegitimate heir. He is also reminded that this is also a continuation of the Trojan line at the same time through the child's mother. Becoming a god is rather fantastical. We only see it mentioned in the play and we assume it comes to fruition later. It does give otherwise poor and lonely Peleus a good ending.

It seems more likely that Orestes hears of the problems with Hermione. He then comes to town at Andromache's request.  That is on his way to the Oracle, seems less likely. He must have already planned to put to death Neoptolemus and his escape with Hemione. The act he puts on that he will take her out of her circumstances is far more self-serving than altruistic. 

What others have to say about Andromache

"As with most of the plays written during this time, the audience was well aware of the myth concerning Andromache and her life after the Trojan War." Comments Ancient history encyclopedia

Greek Legends and Myths notes ​"Andromache was described as being loving, loyal and dutiful, all characteristics of the perfect wife to the Ancient Greeks." about Andromache herself.

Comparisons with other texts

Andromache begins with a supplicant at the altar of a god. This is seen in the beginnings of both Heracles and The children of Heracles., though with those plays we see the supplicant's prayer answered in the form of a defender. By contrast, Andromache is tricked into removing herself from the position of supplicant. This happens before help arrives. Thankfully, it does still arrive and is in time to keep her from being killed with her son. Heracles also involves deaths as we see in Andromache with the death of Neoptolemus. But Andromache feels a lot less like a tragedy as Neoptolemus is not cast as the hero; that being said, neither is he cast as the villain until the second half of the play. We end with the almost triumphant end of his grandfather, Peleus.

Like Euripides' Electra, we again see the vengeful side of Orestes. In Electra, he falls on his father's murderers and kills both his mother and his mother's new husband. Here in this play, we see him killing Neoptolemus for denying him a wife that had been promised to him. You could say that in both plays we also see his softer side in how he interacts with the women. In Electra, he gives hope and love to his sister by giving her to be married. This is after he kills Neoptolemus, while he himself goes to exile. We see this care again in his taking away Hermione from her troubles and taking her as his wife. This, as I have said is a little self-serving.

The Medea is exactly the kind of story that Hermione is afraid of. She is scared that a slave woman who used to be a queen would attack her - or even usurp her position as queen: unlike the Medea. It is this that drives Hermione to such lengths as to plot Andromache's death. She does so while her husband is not around to stop her.  

Conclusion

Andromache is a play of two parts. First, the plotting of the jealous Hermione. Second, the fear of Hermione for the consequences of the failed plot. We have looked at how these two halves intertwine. As well as how Orestes showing up being overly serendipitous. 

There are parallels to be drawn with other Greek plays like Medea or Electra. But these are no carbon copies but rather similar themes or situations. In all Andromache tries to tie off some of the loose ends after the battle of Troy and is an interesting read.

Have you read Andromache? If so what did you think of it? 
 
Want to read Andromache but haven't? Please leave me a comment and let me know why you want to read it.

Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.

Get a copy of Andromache. 

Refuge; The children of Heracles, Euripides and why it deserves a place in your Self Education

Why you might read The children of Heracles

If you have any interest in the true Greek story of Heracles then this play is an integral part. It is important because it deals with what happens to his family after his death. And from this, we see the start of Heracles' legacy. It's on my Self Education list for exactly this reason. I've stated earlier that these plays about and around Heracles life have been eye-opening for someone who only knew the Disney version.

The Story of The children of Heracles

 The story starts with Heracles' young sons and their guardian Iolaus as supplicants to the Altar of Zeus at Athens (though the scene direction says Marathon, Athens is what is in the text, though it may be that Marathon is the town and Athens is the ruling city, considering their locations.). Iolaus laments Heracles' death and lays out the desperation of his position with the boy. We later find out they also have their sisters and Heracles' mother in tow. They have been tossed out of every city they have approached. A messenger arrives from Argos demanding them be surrendered or the army of Argos will set upon them.

Copreus, the herald from Argos arrives. After a short discussion moves to take them bodily
from the altar. Iolaus calls out against the injustice against the gods. The chorus of locals arrive and start discussing the situation. Demophone son of Theseus and current king of Athens arrives. He is quickly petitioned by the herald for the ability to take the sons and Iolaus as prisoners. Demophone gives Iolaus the right to put forward his cause as well. Iolaus lays out the injustice to the gods if they are taken from the altar. She lays out the boy's kinship to Demophone. She also explains their exile from Argos and thus how they do not come under that king's sway. Demophone rules in favour of Iolaus and the children of Heracles. Stating that the decision had more to do with the reputation of Athens. That it is free and that they do not dishonour the gods. Copreus threatens Athens with war but Demophone stands firm. Demophone leaves to prepare for war with Argos.

The army of Argos arrives but does not move down to the plains. Demophone returns and announces he has seen the oracles. And that they have said to win he must sacrifice a princess to Persephone. But he is not willing to sacrifice one of his own or one of his citizens. They are at an impasse that suggests they cannot win the coming war. Then from inside come one of Heracles' daughters, Macaria. She simplifies the whole problem by offering herself up as that sacrifice. She states that it is better for her to die and for her brothers to live. But if they lose her brothers die and even if she survives what sort of life would it be. Macaria exits to be the sacrifice.

A runner arrives and tells of the arrival of an army to join their side lead by one of Heracles' elder sons. Iolaus insists on accompanying the runner back to the army to join the fight. The runner tries to dissuade him because of his age but to no avail.

Another servant appears announcing that they have won the fight. Miraculously Iolaus is young again. They all rejoice and Heracles' mother states that now she believes he has become a god. She has been told this before but has not believed it. The servant then relays the story of the battle. How Iolaus had jumped in a chariot and pursued Eurystheus king of the army from Argos. And how he had overtaken him and overcome him and that he had taken him, prisoner.

Eurystheus is bought to see Heracles' mother and she orders him killed. But the Athenians will not as he is a prisoner and no longer on the battlefield. They discuss this back and forth and eventually decided on killing him. To do so they must bury him in Athens so that he is still in the Athenians custody. 

Reflections on the Children of Heracles

Macaria's strength of will in this play is astounding. It is not that she is asked to die for the victory and thus her brothers. But that she willingly puts herself into the position of the sacrifice. This is true love but also her duty. She knows that the continuation of the house is part of her duty in life and in the telling of this story she lives up to it.
It is interesting to see the convention used here to bypass time. We see the arrival of the enemy army immediately after the exit of the herald who has threatened it. In some ways, there is no convention to hold to. Euripides just jumps from one moment to the next without the change of scene. We do not see changing of scenes in the Greek plays so far, or even a comment about time passing by the chorus. That being said we have seen the chorus used to pad time between when a character leaves and returns. The chorus is also used when something is happening off stage. In some ways, this time skip is just an extrapolation of the ways the chorus has already been used. It does make it hard to tell how much time has passed, though.

We tend to think of the ancient Greeks as a homogeneous group, which they weren't. We see that here with the rules of Athens around prisoners after a battle or war. In Athens, you cannot kill prisoners. Instead, they must be returned to their people after the hostilities have ceased. This is clearly not the case with Argos. Heracles' mother desperately wants to kill Eurystheus. Being from Argos she sees nothing wrong with doing so.
The miracle of Iolaus' regained youth is, as you would expect from a miracle, fantastical. It is though a great pay off for the character that has insisted on taking part in the battle despite his old age. To give Iolaus, and not Heracles' older son, the victory over the Eurysthes is interesting. We would expect Heracles' oldest son to take the throne of Argos. For his to take the throne of his father, following this victory would be fitting. Surely it would do more for the legacy of Heracles if his older son took Argos. And in doing so take out the despot who had overthrown his father and sent him on his labours. 

What others have to say about the Children of Heracles

 GreekMythology.com has this to say, "The problem is that after Heracles’ death, Eurystheus, the King of Argos and Heracles’ archnemesis, decided to kill all the remaining members of Heracles’ family."

"Like other playwrights of the era, Euripides makes reference to Greek mythology, and, in this case, it’s the hero Heracles." from Ancient History Encyclopedia

And finally "“Heracleidae” is usually considered to be essentially a patriotic piece by Euripides, written to the greater glory of Athens, during a period of great instability and uncertainty, as it came under repeated attacks from Sparta in the early stages of the Peloponnesian War." from Classical Literature

Comparisons with other texts

Like Helen, we have a positive ending, but unlike Helen, we do not see that same wish fulfilment. Or the retconning of the events that have happened prior, by the author. Helen is positive from beginning to end with little conflict. But this play has the sacrifice of a daughter to give a bit more balance to the plot points.

This is the second time we have seen sons of Heracles sitting as supplicants to an altar. The first was in Heracles by Euripides. Here his first wife and sons sitting at the altar in their own city while a tyrant threatens to kill them. Unfortunately by the end of the play, they are dead at their father's hand. In this play we see his second set of sons sitting at an altar in a foreign land. All the while a king, through his messenger, tries to get them thrown out so they can arrest them and put them to death. This time Heracles is not alive to save them. Their salvation instead comes from the ruler of the city and the willingness to die of one of his daughters.

In the chronology of Heracles does not seem to follow after Euripides Heracles. Instead, it seems to follow the events of his death in Sophocles' Woman of Trachis. The first tells the story of the destruction of Heracles' first family. Whereas the second deals with his second wife and Heracles death. In this play, Heracles both has sons, which I'm going to assume come from that second marriage, and is himself dead. This is also the first of the plays with Heracles that has a rather happy, or at least positive ending. Though it does still end with death it is the death of the enemy rather than that of one of the families of Heracles.

Conclusion

The children of Heracles deals with the fate of the family of Heracles after his death. This makes it important to a broad Self Education and a better understanding of the Heracles Mythos. It covers the attempts of the tyrant of Argos to capture and kill Heracles' family. This is prevented by the king of Athens where the family have travelled to. The main themes are supplication to the altar and sacrifice. We see this through the sacrifice of Heracles' daughter for the survival of her family. Finally, we have looked at how it compares to other works both by Euripides and by other Greek authors.

 

Have you read The children of Heracles? If so what did you think of it?

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Hopefully, this post inspires you to take the time to look into it on your own journey of Self Education.

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