After Hercules was summoned to heaven, Eurystheus, king of Argos, had no need to fear him any more. Writing "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info So, he tried his best to take revenge on the children and grandchildren of the great hero. Most of them lived with Hercules' mother, Alcmene, and lived in Mykenny, the capital of Argos.

In order to escape the king's persecution, they fled to Trachis, hoping to be protected by King Keyux. Eurystheus demanded that Keyux hand over the descendants of Hercules, or else he would use force against the weak kingdom. The sons and grandsons of Hercules were disturbed and fled from Trachis. Hercules' nephew and friend Iolaus, the son of Iphicles, always took care of them like a father.

He shared the fate of Hercules in his youth, and now in his old age and gray hair, he still protects the children and grandchildren of his old friends and travels with them. Their aim was to consolidate the position and possessions that Hercules had acquired in the Peloponnese. Pursued by Eurystheus, they came to Athens. This is where Demophon, the son of Theseus, ruled. He had just ousted the usurper Menas Thos and returned to the throne.

When they arrived in Athens, they pitched their tents in the wilderness near the altar of Zeus and prostrated themselves in front of the altar and prayed to the Athenians for protection. Eurystheus sent a messenger to threaten them. The messenger mockingly said to Iolaus, "Iolaus, do you think it's safe here?" But who would dare to oppose the mighty Eurystheus? Let's hurry back to Argos. What awaits you there is a harsh verdict: to beat you to death with a rock! “

Fearlessly, Iolaus replied, "No! This altar will protect me, not only am I not afraid of villains like you, nor am I afraid of the mighty army sent by your master, this is a free land to save us. Hearing this, the messenger Kuployus threatened: "Well, listen, I am not here alone, and there is a strong army behind me. You will soon be driven out of this so-called land of freedom! “

Iolaus turned around and cried out to the inhabitants of Athens: "Pious citizens, you must not watch the people protected by Zeus being taken away, nor the desecration of the Holy Land, for this is also a disgrace to your city. “

The Athenians heard cries for help coming from all directions, and they saw a group of exiles sitting around the altar. "Who is that old man? Who are those beautiful young men? Everyone asked. When they learned that these people seeking protection were descendants of the great hero Hercules, they not only sympathized, but also revered. They ordered the barbarian messenger to leave the altar quickly, and told him to report his request to the king's vote first.

"Who's the king here," Kupolois asked, embarrassed, calmed by the Athenian's abruptness.

"He is a great man," they replied, "and you must obey his ruling." Our king is none other than Demophon, the son of the immortal hero Theseus. “

King Demophon heard news in the palace that the square outside was full of fugitives, and that there was a foreign army, and that a messenger demand that the fugitives be handed over to him. The king himself came to the square and heard from the mouth of the messenger the intentions of Eurystheus. "I'm an Argosian," said Kupoloyus, "and I'm asking to bring back a group of Argos." They are the servants of our king. Son of Theseus, you probably won't lose your mind and go to war with Eurystheus in order to protect these fugitives! “

Demophon, a calm and forgiving king, listened to the messenger and simply said: "I have not heard the opinions of the two sides, so how can I determine who is right and who is wrong?" And how can it be decided to go to war? This old man, you are the protector of the young, do you have anything to say? “

Iolaus rose from the stone steps of the altar, bowed reverently to the king, and said, "King, for the first time I feel that I have arrived in a free city. I'm allowed to speak here, and I'm listened to here. Elsewhere, we are deported, without our right to speak. Eurystheus drove us out of Argos. If we cannot stay in the country, how can he say that we are his subjects?

Do those who flee from Argos have no place in all Greece? No! At least not in Athens! The inhabitants of this heroic city will not drive the descendants of Hercules out of their land. Their king will not allow those who ask for protection to be dragged away from the altar. Be of good cheer, my child! You are now in a free country, and you are with your relatives. O king, you are not protecting the strangers, but the persecuted people are the sons of Hercules, and Hercules and your father Theseus are the grandsons of Pelops, and Hercules rescued your father from the underworld. “

When the king heard these words, he stretched out his hand to Iolaus and said, "There are three reasons why I am obliged to protect you and not to refuse your request. The first is Zeus and this altar, the second is kinship, and the third is the favor of Hercules to my father.

If I let you be dragged away from the altar, then this country will no longer be a free country, a country that respects God, and a country that obeys morality! Therefore, messenger, return to McKenny at once, and tell your king that I will not allow you to bring these exiles back again! “

"I'll go, I'll go!" Kupoloyus said, waving his scepter threateningly, "I will lead an army of Argos back." Ten thousand soldiers are waiting for my king to give orders. He will personally command the army, which has reached the borders of your kingdom. “

"What the hell is you!" "I am not afraid of you, nor of all you Argos!" “

The sons and grandsons of Hercules rejoiced when they heard this. A group of young men jumped up from the altar and put their hands in the king's hands to thank the generous savior. Iolaus spoke on behalf of the crowd and thanked the king and the citizens of Athens.

After returning to the royal palace, King Demophon made urgent arrangements to prepare for the enemy's invasion. He gathered a group of diviners and observers of the heavens, commanded them to perform a solemn sacrifice, and invited Iolaus and his men to live in the palace. Iolaus repeatedly refused, declaring that he did not want to leave the altar of Zeus, and that they were willing to stay here and pray for the happiness of the city of Athens. "It is not until the gods have helped the king to victory," he said, "that we are willing to let our weary bodies rest under your roofs!" “

At this time, the king climbed the highest tower and observed the approaching enemy army. He gathered his soldiers, ordered them to defend the city of Athens, and then consulted with astrologers and soothsayers. While Iolaus was praying to the gods, suddenly Demophon came to him with a sad face. "What do you think I'm going to do, friend?"

He exclaimed, "Although my army is ready to fight against the Argos, my soothsayers say that there must be a condition for victory in this war, but this condition cannot be met by me. The oracle tells us clearly: you do not have to slaughter calves and bulls, but only to sacrifice a young woman of noble birth, and only then can you, including the city, hope to be victorious and saved. But how can I do that? I have a daughter of my own, but what father would be willing to make such a sacrifice? Who would give birth to a noble family with a daughter to hand over their daughter? This is a troublesome thing that will cause a civil war! “

The sons and grandsons of Hercules were heartbroken when they heard the king's words. "Oh my God!" "We are like shipwrecked people, who have just climbed onto the beach and been swept back to sea by the waves," shouted Iolaus. Hope, why is it like a dream? It's over, children, now the king will hand us over, but we can't blame him for that. Suddenly, a glimmer of hope flashed in the old man's eyes. Do you know how we can save ourselves? You leave the sons of Hercules, and give me up to Eurystheus!" He will surely put me to death, for I am the companion of the great hero and his faithful friend. I am already an old man, willing to sacrifice my life for these young people! “

Demophon looked at him and said sadly, "Your spirit is noble, but it can't help us. Do you think Eurystheus would be satisfied by killing a man? No! He will kill the sons of Hercules. If you have any other ideas, let me know. The idea just now doesn't work. “

Hearing the cruel content of the oracle, the citizens of Athens gathered in the square also let out lamentations and lamentations, and the sound resounded all the way to the king's inner palace. Soon after the fugitives entered Athens, King Demophon hid Hercules' old and frail mother, Alcmene, and her beautiful daughter, Macaria, born to Hercules and Deianira, in the palace from outsiders. Alcmene was so deaf and blinded that she could not hear the sounds outside, but her granddaughter heard the lamentations coming from outside, and she was so worried about the fate of her brothers that she walked out of the palace alone into the square. She mingled with the crowd, heard the talk of the people, learned of the calamities and dangers facing the sons of Athens and Hercules, and of the difficulties and troubles of the king's execution of the oracles.

Fearlessly and steadfastly, she came to Demophon and said to him, "I know that you are looking for a sacrifice that will guarantee victory in the war and that you may save my brothers from the ravages of tyrants. The oracle wants you to sacrifice a noble woman, and you have forgotten that the daughter of Hercules is in your palace? I beg you to make me a sacrifice, because I am willing, so the gods will surely like it. If the city of Athens was willing to endure a war and sacrifice the lives of hundreds of children in order to ensure the safety of Hercules' children, why could not one of the children of the great hero Hercules sacrifice himself for victory? If none of us dare to think so, then what are we people worth protecting? “

Iolaus and the people around him were silent for a long time when they heard these generous words. At last the protector of the sons of Hercules spoke: "You are worthy of being the daughter of Hercules, but, according to me, let all his daughters gather together and draw lots to decide who will give their lives for her brothers." “

"I don't want to die by lot," Makaria said, "and I do it willingly." Well, don't hesitate any longer, otherwise the enemy will sneak up and the oracle will be ineffective. “

With that, the noble woman, accompanied by the noble lady of Athens, walked towards death with determination and joy.

Fate does not make people long in sorrow. The king and the Athenians watched with reverence as Macaria, the daughter of Hercules, went away. As soon as her figure disappeared, a messenger with a happy expression quickly ran towards the altar. "Where's Iolaus?" He asked aloud, "I have good news for him!" Iolaus stood up from the altar with a sad look.

"Don't you know me?" The messenger asked, "I am the old servant of Xuros!" Wasn't Hyros the son of Hercules and Deianira? You know, my master broke up with you on the run to find the Confederates. Now he is back, bringing with him a strong army. “

There was a cheer from the people around them, and the news quickly spread throughout the city. Despite his old age and infirmity, Iolaus put on his armor and took up arms. He left the child and Hercules' old mother in the city and left them in the care of the old men of Athens, and set out with a group of young men with King Demorphon to join the army of Hyros.

When the two armies met, they bravely marched towards Eurystheus' army. When the armies of both sides approached, Cyros stepped down from his chariot and stood at the crossing in front of the battle, and shouted to the king of Argoth: "O king Eurystheus! Before a bloody war begins, before two armies fight desperately for the benefit of a few, listen to my advice: the two of us alone will decide the winner. If I lose at your hands, then you take my brothers and sisters with you, and let everything fall to you, and if you lose, then you should return to me and my relatives the kingship of my father, his palace, and the dominion in the Peloponnese. “

The soldiers behind Xu Ross cheered loudly in favor of the proposal. The soldiers on the other side of Argos also exchanged their heads and agreed. Eurystheus, who had previously appeared timid before Hercules, was once again greedy for life and afraid of death, and he objected to this suggestion and did not dare to leave his army. So Xu Ross returned to his team.

Diviners and astrologers offered sacrifices to the gods, and the battle horns sounded.

King Demophon turned back to his soldiers and cried out to his soldiers: "Citizens, remember, this is a battle for your homeland, for the city that gave birth and raised you! “

On the other hand, Eurystheus also encouraged his soldiers to fight for the glory of Argos and McKenny. Now the trumpets are blown, the shields are clashed, the chariots are pitted, the spears are stabbed, and the swords are brandished. Soldiers on both sides were slaughtered, the wounded groaned, and rivers of blood flowed. At first, the allies of the sons of Hercules, faltered by the spears of the Argosians, and were forced to retreat, and then they attacked and advanced. The two sides fought for a long time, and finally, the positions of the Argos began to disorganize, and the infantry and chariots fled, rammed and trampled each other, and suffered heavy casualties.

The old Iolaos, who was in high spirits, saw Hyros chasing the enemy in his chariot and passing by, so he hurriedly stretched out his right hand and asked to jump into the chariot and take his place. Xu Ross respectfully relinquished his place to his father's friend. Iolaus got on the chariot and struggled to control the four-horse chariot with both hands, and bravely rushed forward. When he reached the temple of Athena, he saw Eurystheus' chariot fleeing before him.

So he prayed to Zeus and Heber, the goddess of youth, to give him the strength of his youth to avenge Hercules by winning the battle on this day. Heber was the wife of Hercules after he ascended to the holy mountain of Olympus. After Iolaus prayed, a miracle occurred: two bright stars slowly descended and landed on the saddle, and a thick fog covered the chariot. After a while, the fog cleared and the stars were gone. Iolaus was much younger. He stood refreshed on the chariot, waved his two strong arms, and galloped forward with a tight grip on the reins of the four horses.

Eurystheus fled into a valley where he thought he was safe, and he saw that his pursuers were about to catch up. He didn't know the person who was chasing him, so he stood on the car and responded reflexively. With the power bestowed by the gods, Iolaus knocked his opponent from the cart to the ground, then tied him to his chariot and sent him back as trophies.

The Argos were captured alive by Eurystheus, lost their commander, and fled in all directions. The sons of Eurystheus and countless soldiers were killed, and soon there was not a single enemy from Argos left in the land of Attica. To be continued.