Thrace — Minor Figures

5 figures from Greek Tragedy who appear only briefly. Each keeps their own page; this one gathers them so they can be read together.

Diomedes of Thrace

master of the chariot-steeds · first appears Euripides, Alcestis — Scene 4

Euripides, Alcestis — Scene 4 · enemies with Heracles “HER. After the four chariot-steeds of Diomed the Thracian. CHOR. How wilt thou be able? Art thou ignorant of this host? HER. I am ignorant; I have not yet been to the land of the Bistonians. CHOR. Thou canst not be lord of these steeds without battle. HER. But neither is it possible for me to renounce the labors set me. CHOR. Thou wilt come then having slain, or being slain wilt remain there. HER. Not the first contest this that I shall run. CHOR. But what advance will you have made, when you have overcome their master? HER. I will drive away the horses to king Eurystheus. CHOR. 'Tis no easy matter to put the bit in their jaws. HER. 'Tis, except they breathe fire from their nostrils. CHOR. But they tear men piecemeal with their devouring jaws. HER. The provender of mountain beasts, not horses, you are speaking of. CHOR. Their stalls thou mayst behold with blood bestained. HER. Son of what sire does their owner boast to be? CHOR. Of Mars, prince of the Thracian target, rich with gold. HER. And this labor, thou talkest of, is one my fate compels me to (for it is ever hard and tends to steeps); if I must join in battle with the children whom Mars begat, first indeed with Lycaon, and again with Cycnus, and I come to this third combat, about to engage with the horses and their master.”
Euripides, Alcestis — Scene 4 · parent: Ares “HER. After the four chariot-steeds of Diomed the Thracian. CHOR. How wilt thou be able? Art thou ignorant of this host? HER. I am ignorant; I have not yet been to the land of the Bistonians. CHOR. Thou canst not be lord of these steeds without battle. HER. But neither is it possible for me to renounce the labors set me. CHOR. Thou wilt come then having slain, or being slain wilt remain there. HER. Not the first contest this that I shall run. CHOR. But what advance will you have made, when you have overcome their master? HER. I will drive away the horses to king Eurystheus. CHOR. 'Tis no easy matter to put the bit in their jaws. HER. 'Tis, except they breathe fire from their nostrils. CHOR. But they tear men piecemeal with their devouring jaws. HER. The provender of mountain beasts, not horses, you are speaking of. CHOR. Their stalls thou mayst behold with blood bestained. HER. Son of what sire does their owner boast to be? CHOR. Of Mars, prince of the Thracian target, rich with gold.”

Orpheus

master · first appears Euripides, Hippolytus — Scene 7

Euripides, Hippolytus — Scene 7 · pupil: Hippolytus “Now then vaunt, and with thy feeding on inanimate food retail your doctrines upon men, and having Orpheus for your master, revel it, reverencing the emptiness of many letters; which avail you not; since you are caught.”
Euripides, Rhesus — Scene 6 · with Rhesus “Orpheus, the kinsman of this hapless youth Whom thou hast slain, dark mysteries did unfold;”

Strymon

father of Rhesus · first appears Euripides, Rhesus — Scene 2

Euripides, Rhesus — Scene 2 · child: Rhesus “Thrace, and he is called The son of Strymon.”

Dionysius

prophet · first appears Euripides, Hecuba — Scene 7

Euripides, Hecuba — Scene 7 · pupil: Polymestor “Dionysius the Thracian prophet told it me.”

Thamyris

minstrel · first appears Euripides, Rhesus — Scene 6

Euripides, Rhesus — Scene 6 · parent: Philammon “Much while on earth, and since thy murmuring ghost Was plunged in Orcus’ dreary mansions more, O offspring of Philammon, didst thou wound My soul: that arrogance which caused thy ruin, That contest with Pieria’s choir, gave birth To this unhappy youth: for having passed The rapid current, with incautious step Approaching Strymon’s genial bed, we mounted Pangæum’s summit, for its golden mines Distinguished; each melodious instrument Around us in full concert breathed; our strife Was there decided with the Thracian minstrel; That Thamyris who dared blaspheme our art,”

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Extracted from the original text of Greek Tragedy. Made with Rho MD.