“... Amphitryon, banished from Tiryns, established
himself at Thebes. Herakles, brought up in that
city and skilful in physical exercises, surpassed all
other men in the strength of his body and the greatness
of his soul. He was scarcely adolescent when he delivered
Thebes [from the tyranny of Erginus and the
Minyans], and thus paid his debt of gratitude to his
country. ... The fame of this exploit spread through
the whole of Greece, and every one admired it as a
prodigy. Creon, the King, himself impressed by the
courage of the young man, gave him his daughter
Megara in marriage; and, treating him like his own
son, confided to him the government of his kingdom.
But Eurystheus, King of Argos, jealous of the growth
of the power of Herakles, summoned him to appear before
him, and ordered him to perform his labours. At
first Herakles refused, but Zeus commanded him to obey
Eurystheus. Herakles went to Delphi, and, having consulted
the oracle, he was told that the Gods ordered
him to perform the twelve labours, and that, after
their completion, he would receive immortality.
“On receiving this command, Herakles fell into great
distress [of mind] ... he was seized with a frenzy. ...
Madness took possession of his sick mind ... in one
of his ecstasies of fury, ... Herakles pierced with
arrows the children which he had had by Megara. ...
Having recovered from his madness and become aware
of his error, he was greatly afflicted by the excess of his
misfortune ... he remained quietly withdrawn in
his house for a long time, avoiding all human society.
Time having calmed his grief, Herakles went to
Eurystheus, determined to affront every peril [and perform
the labours]. ...
“Zeus kept Prometheus chained for having given fire
to mankind, and caused his heart to be devoured by an
eagle. Herakles, seeing that Prometheus was punished
only for having done good to men, ... saved the
common benefactor.”
Diodorus Siculus, IV, 10–11, and 15.
