| Herakles | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Madrid_Krater_Asteas_MAN_Inv11094.jpg) The Madness of Herakles by Asteas | |
| Written by | Euripides |
| Chorus | Old Men of Thebes |
| Characters | Amphitryon Megara Heracles' Children Lycus Iris Madness Heracles Theseus |
| Place premiered | Athens |
| Original language | Ancient Greek |
| Genre | Tragedy |
| Setting | Before the palace of Heracles at Thebes |
Herakles (Ancient Greek: Ἡρακλῆς μαινόμενος, Hēraklēs Mainomenos, also known as Hercules Furens and sometimes written as Heracles) is an Athenian tragedy by Euripides that was first performed c. 416 BC. While Heracles is in the underworld obtaining Cerberus for one of his labours, his father Amphitryon, wife Megara, and children are sentenced to death in Thebes by Lycus. Heracles arrives in time to save them, though the goddesses Iris and Madness (personified) cause him to kill his wife and children in a frenzy. It is the second of two surviving tragedies by Euripides where the family of Heracles are suppliants (the first being Children of Heracles). It was first performed at the City Dionysia festival.