The House of Admetus: Eumelus
The Lost Trilogy of Plays by Agathon
Steve Matthew Benner
Copyright Steve M. Benner 2014
DRAMATIS PERSONAE:
Eumelus, King of Pherae and Iolkos
Admetus, older son of Eumelus and Laodamia
Iphthime, second wife of Eumelus
Promachos, young son of Eumelus and Iphthime
Teuthras, childhood friend of Admetus
Demnosia, daughter of Priam awarded to Eumelus as spoil (non-speaking)
Henicea, daughter of Priam awarded to Admetus as spoil (non-speaking)
Chorus, women whose husbands, sons, and brothers went to Troy
SCENE: Pherae in southeastern Thessaly
TIME: The heroic age
DATE: 11 years after the fall of Troy
A man in his late 20’s paces excitedly back and forth outside the King’s palace. He has a pronounced limp.
TEUTHRAS:I await the return of King Eumelus, son of Admetus and Alcestis, the loveliest daughter of King Pelias of Iolkos. Our beloved King, gone these eleven years to fight below the walls of Troy, leading the strong young men of Pherae and Iolkos to victory. Though just a boy of less than a score years, his eldest son, Admetus, went with his father to stand beside him on the plains of Ilium and gain renown for this city and the Achaeans. The prince was the only issue of Eumelus and Laodamia, who was taken by Eileithyia soon after his birth. I have not seen my friend, Admetus, since he left on one of the eleven ships that sailed from Pagasae on wine-dark seas so long ago. I watched our glorious army in shining bronze march through the city gate on its way to the fleet along roads lined with cheering crowds. Little did we know then that it would be more than a decade before we would see them again and still only a small fraction of those that left. The fleet has returned to our shore with but four vessels of the original eleven. King Eumelus and son now travel triumphantly from the coast to their palace here in Pherae. Crowds of men and women welcoming their King back again line the roads, though the cheering is more subdued than that upon their departure. I can clearly see the road stretching south in the mid-day light of the Titan’s chariot, winding near the blue waters of Lake Boebea. I watch for the procession, to tell the Queen, Iphthime, and her son, Promachos, of their King’s arrival, of the husband and father’s return. The palace bustles with activity as slaves and servants, family and friends, prepare for the banquet that will celebrate the safe arrival of those that have returned.
I so longed to go with my friend to fight in Ilium, to gain everlasting fame fighting by his side, but Poseidon saw fit to deny me this blessing by laming me when I was but 14. I am now blessed with life and family, but my passing will leave no mark on the annals of heroes. Though I can now rejoice in the deeds of my friend and his father. We have heard the stories of great deeds against the horse breakers of Troy from the soldiers of Agamemnon and Menelaus, great captains of the Achaeans. Agamemnon brutally murdered by his treacherous wife upon his return to Mycenae, and his brother, Menelaus, returning with his unfaithful wife, Helen, to rule over Sparta. At the battle of the ships at Troy, we were told how our King fought alongside the heroes Diomedes and Odysseus to drive the Trojans back. He killed a score of the enemy with spear and shield spilling their blood and guts into the sands of Ilium. We know of Eumelus’ participation in the chariot race at the funeral of Patroclus; for he had the finest horses, two mares matched in color and size, foals of Pheres, bred by wise Apollo, and terrible in battle. How Eumelus had led the race until clear-eyed Athena, to help her favorite, Diomedes, broke his chariot yoke to send our King crashing to the ground. Achilles took pity on Eumelus and presented to him a bronze breastplate with a rim of tin running all round it, which the great warrior took from Asteropaeus. Achilles was the greatest warrior among the all the Achaeans; he who slew Hector, greatest among the Trojans. They told us how, at the Scamander River, our King stood with Achilles to drive the Trojans into the river to drown or to die by Achilles mighty hand. And how Eumelus was chosen as one of the best men to be hidden in the great wooden horse that led to the destruction of Ilium. They also spoke of how young Admetus grew into a leader of men; with spear and sword, he spilled the blood of Priam’s men into the rich soil of Troy, sending their souls to dark Tartarus. Admetus, a worthy successor to his father as King of Pherae and Iolkos.
And what of the Queen these long years without King and husband? Iphthime has ruled wisely, justly and been praised by yeomen and nobles alike. Even in the ways of Ares, she has protected us from the brigands who ravage the land like wolves and envious neighbors who would do us harm during the absence of our King and army. During times of famine, she fed the people by procuring food at her own expense from neighbors more favored by the gods than us. The people love her for her good nature and fair hand as ruler. She has raised her son, pale Promachos, in the ways of the court. At the age less than that of Admetus when he left for Ilium, the prince assumed all the trappings of King, except in name, and has ruled in a manner to rival that of his father and mother, this last year. Though some would say the Queen still rules, and Promachos is but a mask upon her face.
Lo, I see the approach of the King’s procession. I must tell the Queen. Soon I will be rejoined with my childhood friend. Oh, joyous day.
He exits into the palace. Chorus enters. Women of mixed years whose husbands, sons, and brothers went to war with the King and his son.