16. A Cruel Deed
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.
