16. A Cruel Deed
16\. A Cruel Deed
16\. Un acto cruel
16\. Um Ato Cruel
Hercules iam adulescens Thebis habitabat.
Let me tell you now the young man was living in Thebes.
Rex Thebarum, vir ignavus, Creon appellabatur.
The king of Thebes, a cowardly man, was called Creon.
Minyae, gens bellicosissima, Thebanis finitimi erant.
The Minyas, a most warlike nation, bordered on the Thebans.
Legati autem a Minyis ad Thebanos quotannis mittebantur; hi Thebas veniebant et centum boves postulabant.
The embassadors, however, were sent annually by the Minyans to the Thebans; These came to Thebes and demanded a hundred oxen.
Thebani enim olim a Minyis superati erant; tributa igitur regi Minyarum quotannis pendebant.
for the Thebans had long ago been conquered by the Minyans; They paid tribute annually to the king of Minya.
At Hercules cives suos hoc stipendio liberare constituit; legatos igitur comprehendit, atque aures eorum abscidit.
But Hercules determined to free his citizens with this campaign; He therefore took the embassadors, and cut off their ears.
Legati autem apud omnes gentes sancti habentur.
The embassadors, however, are considered holy among all nations.
