Lycus

Family: Thebes · Role: former ruler of Thebes · First appears: Euripides, Hercules Distracted — Scene 1

Lycus was married to Dirce and formerly ruled Thebes, until Amphion and Zethus, sons of Jove, became its sovereigns. He was also the parent of Lycus the younger, who bore his father’s name and came from Eubœa. After Creon’s death, Lycus seized the Theban throne through revolt, declaring, “But that I wield the sceptre.”

As ruler, Lycus was opposed by Amphitryon, Megara, and Heracles. He permitted Megara and the children of Heracles to enter their paternal house to dress for burial, while promising to kill them afterward; he ordered Amphitryon to bring them outside to die and later decided to bring them out himself. He had also murdered Megara’s brothers and aged father, and ordered the bodies of Heracles’ children burned around the altar.

Heracles vowed to overthrow Lycus and kill those who had persecuted his family. In the palace, Lycus was killed by Heracles, who cast his body from the doors, ending his rule: “That impious man Is now no more.”