1159-1173

Hercules finally recognizes his murdered family but does not yet understand that he killed them. He redirects his anger to the supposed murderer, demands help in identifying him, and challenges him to attack.

1160 Note the resonant triple alliteration of “c”. cruentā caede: ablative of manner (AG 412) depending on cōnfectī (“killed”).

1160 perēmpta: supply est. quis Lycus:  Hercules assumes some new “Lycus” has caused destruction like the old one did.

1162 Thebīs: locative ablative (AG 429.4).

1163 Hercule reversō: “though Hercules has returned,” concessive ablative absolute.

1163–64 quisquis … quisquis: the subjects of 1165 colis and 1166 succurre … indicā. Hercules pleads to any person from across Greece to come to his aid.

1163 Ismēnī: a river in Boeotia that connects to the city of Thebes.

1164 Actaea: adjective from Actē, an ancient name for Attica.

1164–65 geminō marī / pulsāta: “struck by twin seas,” i.e. the Aegean and the Ionian seas. rēgna Pelopis Dardaniī: “the realm of Dardanian Pelops,” still known as the Peloponnese. Pelops was called “Dardanian” because he was born in Asia Minor, home of Dardanus the mythical ancestor of the Trojans.

1167 ruat: hortatory subjunctive (AG 439). ira: Hercules’ own anger.

1169–71. Hercules speaks as if his unknown enemy is an avenger of the opponents that he defeated in his Labors.

1170 currūs … Thrācis: “the Thracian’s chariots.” A reference to the tyrant Diomedes of Thrace, whom Hercules fed to his own man-eating horses. Gēryonae pecus: “Geryon’s cattle.” Libyaeve dominōs: “Libya’s lords,” Antaeus of Libya and Busiris of Egypt.

1171 nulla … mora est: i.e., Hercules will not delay. pugnandī: genitive gerund depending on mora (AG 504). 

1172 nudus: without his weapons. vel meīs armīs: “even with own own weapons: Hercules is not only unarmed, but is willing for his opponent to attack him with his own weapons.

1172–73 licet … petās: a substantive clause of purpose without ut (AG 565), “it is permitted for you to attack.”