Chapter 5 Descendants of Hercules - 5

The Athenian army entered the city triumphantly, and Iolaus returned to the appearance of an old man. He brought Eurystheus, who was bound hand and foot, to Hercules' mother. "You have come at last!" The old woman scolded Eurystheus angrily when she saw Eurystheus, "The punishment of the gods has finally fallen on you. Look up and look at your opponent! It is you, for so many years Tortured my son with heavy labor and humiliation. You sent him to capture poisonous snakes and beasts, and wanted to put him to death. Didn't you drive him into the underworld so that he would never return to the world? You also sent his mother and All his descendants were driven out of Greece. But you miscalculated this time, you met people who did not fear your majesty! This is a free city! Now you are dead, and you should be glad that you die soon , because your crimes are enough to let people slowly torture you to death!"

Eurystheus pulled himself together and said with a forced calm: "It doesn't matter if I die, but I still have to say a few words to defend myself. I didn't regard Hercules as an enemy out of personal desire, That is what the goddess Hera commanded me to do, and she told me to torment him forever. I made this giant and demigod my enemy, and I was compelled to keep him from rest. After his death, I was compelled to drive him out. Children and grandchildren, because I believe that among his descendants there must be enemies, and there must be people who will avenge him! Well, now let you deal with me!I don't ask for death, but death doesn't grieve me either. "

After saying this, Eurystheus looked very calm, as if preparing to die. Hylos interceded for Eurystheus, and the citizens of Athens demanded that, according to the custom of the city, be lenient to their defeated enemies.But Hercules' mother Alcmene refused to forgive him.She thought of the sufferings of her son when he was forced to be the slave of this tyrant; she thought of the death of her granddaughter, who gave her life willingly to defeat Eurystheus; If they become the captives of Eurystheus, the consequences will be unimaginable. "No! Damn him!" cried Alcmene, "don't forgive him!"

Eurystheus turned to the Athenians and said: "Thank you, thank you for interceding for me, my death will not bring you disaster. If you give me a tomb, bury me in the god Athena Beside the temple, then I will guard your land as a honored guest, and not allow any army to cross the border. Please remember that the descendants of Hercules, who are now supported and protected by you, will come one day Attack you. They will retaliate and destroy your happy life. At that time, I, the enemy of Hercules for generations, will be your savior." After saying these words, he calmly died.