Euripides’ play Heracleidae

E482628

Euripides’ play *Heracleidae* is an ancient Greek tragedy that dramatizes the persecution and eventual deliverance of Heracles’ children as they seek asylum in Athens, highlighting themes of justice, supplication, and Athenian heroism.

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Observed surface forms (4)

Surface form Occurrences
Heracleidae 0
Euripides' play "Heracleidae" 1
Heracleidae (play) 1

Statements (47)

Predicate Object
instanceOf ancient Greek tragedy
dramatic work
play
approximateDate 5th century BCE
associatedPlace Theatre of Dionysus NERFINISHED
author Euripides NERFINISHED
centralTheme Athenian heroism
asylum
divine retribution
justice
protection of suppliants
sacrifice
supplication
war and conflict
dramaticAction Athenians defend the Heracleidae against Eurystheus
Heracles’ children seek asylum in Athens
Macaria volunteers herself for sacrifice NERFINISHED
capture of Eurystheus
death of Eurystheus
exploresConcept divine justice
xenia (guest‑friendship)
exploresRelationship Athens and the Peloponnese NERFINISHED
featuresCharacter Alcmene NERFINISHED
Demophon NERFINISHED
Eurystheus NERFINISHED
Iolaus NERFINISHED
Macaria NERFINISHED
children of Heracles NERFINISHED
featuresChorus Athenian elders
focusesOn deliverance of Heracles’ children
persecution of Heracles’ children
genre tragedy
language Ancient Greek
literaryForm verse drama
literaryTradition Athenian drama
meter iambic trimeter (dialogue)
various lyric meters (choral odes)
moralIssue duty of cities to protect refugees
limits of vengeance
mythologicalCycle Heracles NERFINISHED
partOf Euripides’ extant plays NERFINISHED
period Classical Athens NERFINISHED
politicalDimension Athenian self‑presentation as protector of the weak
praise of Athens
settingPlace Athens NERFINISHED
sourceOf mythological material for later authors
survivalStatus substantially extant

Referenced by (4)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Macaria appearsIn Euripides’ play Heracleidae
this entity surface form: Euripides' play "Heracleidae"
Heracleidae appearsInWork Euripides’ play Heracleidae
this entity surface form: Heracleidae (play)
Heracleidae appearsInWork Euripides’ play Heracleidae
this entity surface form: Heraclidae by Euripides
Eurystheus mentionedIn Euripides’ play Heracleidae