The sons of Heracles, on the other hand, came fleeing the persecution of Eurystheus,
 ignoring the other states as not capable of succouring them in their distress, and looking
 upon our city as the only one great enough to make return for the benefits which their
 father had bestowed upon all mankind. So from these facts it is easy to see that even at that time our city was in the
 position of a leader; for who would venture an appeal for help to those who were weaker
 than themselves, or to those who were subject to others, passing by those who had greater
 power, especially in matters not of personal but of public interest which none would be
 likely to take in hand but those who claimed to stand first among the Hellenes? And, in the next place, the suppliants were manifestly not disappointed in the hopes
 which caused them to take refuge with our ancestors; for the Athenians went to war against
 the Thebans in the cause of those who had fallen in the battle, and against the power of
 Eurystheus in the cause of the sons of Heracles. Taking the field against the Thebans,
 they compelled them to restore the dead to their kindred for burial; and when the
 Peloponnesians, led by Eurystheus, had invaded our territory, they marched out against
 them, conquered them in battle, and put an end to their leader’s insolence. And though they already commanded admiration for their other deeds, these exploits
 enhanced their fame still more; for they did not do things by halves, but so completely
 revolutionized the fortunes of either monarch that Adrastus, who had seen fit to throw
 himself on our mercy, went his way, having in despite of his foes won all that he had
 asked, while Eurystheus, who had expected to overpower us, was himself made captive and
 compelled to sue for mercy; and, although he had throughout all his life inflicted his orders and indignities on one
 whose nature transcended that of man, and who, being the son of Zeus, possessed, while
 still a mortal, the strength of a god, yet, when Eurystheus offended against us, he
 suffered so complete a reverse that he fell into the power of Heracles’ sons and came to a
 shameful end.