literary · Roman

Prayer to Hercules

Come hither, Hercules, who, now free of your obligations, may choose whether to live in your native Argos and spurn death as Eurystheus buried in his tomb, or whether your virtue has won you a place among the stars beneath the throne of your father Jupiter, and Hebe, better than Phrygian Ganymede, with her robe girded, offers you a cup of blessed nectar to drink, come hither, and grace this newly dedicated temple with the presence of your genius.

Commentarius · Commentary

Statius is writing for an occasion: his patron Pollius Felix has rebuilt a temple to Hercules at Surrentum, and the poet summons the god to its dedication.

The invocation is built on the ordinary "wherever you may be" formula, but unfolded out of Hercules' own biography: are you already living in your native Argos, free of your terms of service, treading on Eurystheus buried in his tomb — or do you hold the throne of your Jupiter? Both alternatives are rewards; the poet lets the god choose which of his prizes he is currently enjoying.

Liber … legibus is pointed: leges are the terms of service under Eurystheus, the twelve labours as a contractual obligation he has at last discharged.

The joke in the middle concerns Hebe, "better than the Phrygian shut out": Ganymede, Jupiter's cupbearer, is displaced in Hercules' service by Hercules' own wife. The poet flatters the god by demoting his father's servant.

And what is asked for is not favour but presence: "bring your genius into the temple being born". The building is ready; the deity is what is missing.

Fons · Source

AuthorStatius

WorkSilvae

Section3.1.23-28

Period1st c. AD

Classificatio · Taxonomy

CultureRoman

Formliterary

DeitiesHercules

FunctionsInvocation · Dedication

SphereCivic