Heraclides

After death Hercules his children and his mother Alkmene lived in Tiryns with the eldest son of Hercules, Gilla. They didn't live there long. Out of hatred for Hercules Eurystheus drove the children of the greatest hero out of their father's domain and pursued them wherever they tried to hide. The children of Hercules wandered all over Greece for a long time: finally, an elderly man sheltered them Iolaus, nephew and friend of Hercules. And he was overtaken by the unfortunate hatred of Eurystheus, and he and Iolaus had to flee to Athens, where his son then ruled Theseus Demo font.

After learning that the children of Hercules had taken refuge in Athens, Eurystheus sent his messenger Kopreya demand that the Demofont issue heraclides. Demophon refused Copraeus, nor was he intimidated by the threat that Eurystheus with a large army would attack Athens and destroy the city. Demofont did not want to violate the custom of hospitality.

Soon Eurystheus invaded Attica with a large army. The Athenians were facing a battle with numerous enemies. They asked the gods about the outcome of the battle and the gods revealed to them that the Athenians would win only if a girl was sacrificed to the gods. Makaria, the eldest daughter of Hercules and Deyanira, voluntarily sacrificed herself to the gods, she decided to sacrifice her life to save her brothers and sisters.

Both armies met on the battlefield, and Gill came with a detachment of soldiers; he found help against Eurystheus. Before the battle began, Makaria was sacrificed. The battle was cruel and bloody. The Athenians won. Eurystheus turned to flight, and Gill rushed in a chariot to pursue his father's enemy.

Iolaus saw it. He begged Gilla to give him the chariot - the elderly colleague of Hercules himself wanted to avenge all the troubles that Eurystheus had caused his friend. Iolaus quickly rushed off in a chariot in pursuit. He was almost upon Eurystheus. Then Iolaus prayed to the Olympian gods. He begged them to return to him only for one day his youth and his former strength. The gods heard Iolaus' plea. Two bright stars rolled down from the sky, a dark cloud descended on Iolaus' chariot. When the cloud parted, Iolaus stood on the chariot in all the splendor of his youth, mighty and beautiful. Iolaus overtook Eurystheus and captured him.

Iolaus triumphantly brought the bound Eurystheus to Athens. The mother of Hercules Alcmene became furious when she saw the enemy of her great son. Despite the fact that both Gill and Demophon wanted to protect Eurystheus, Alcmene tore out Eurystheus' eyes with her own hands and killed him. So Eurystheus died. The Athenians did not leave the defeated enemy without burial; he was buried in Attica, at the sanctuary of Pallene Athens.