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Copreus

Copreus was the herald of King Eurystheus of Mycenae. According to Apollodorus, he carried to Heracles the orders for the Labours, because Eurystheus was too frightened to deal with the hero himself. Copreus was a son of Pelops of Elis who had killed a man named Iphitus and found refuge at Mycenae, where Eurystheus purified him.

Herald of Eurystheus

Apollodorus introduces Copreus when he describes how the first Labour ended. Heracles brought the skin of the Nemean Lion to Mycenae, and Eurystheus, amazed at his strength, forbade him ever to enter the city again and told him to show the fruits of his labours before the gates. In his fear, Eurystheus is said to have had a bronze jar made to hide in under the ground, and from then on he sent his commands for the Labours through a herald, Copreus (Apollodorus, Library 2.5.1).

Homer knows the same office. In the Iliad, the Mycenaean Periphetes, killed by Hector in the fight at the ships, is called the son of Copreus, who used to carry Eurystheus’ messages to mighty Heracles. Homer adds that the son was far better than his father, being swift of foot, brave and wise (Homer, Iliad 15.638–643).

Family of Copreus

Parents: Pelops
Children: Periphetes (versions differ)

See the full family tree

Family and Exile

Apollodorus calls Copreus a son of Pelops the Elean. He had killed Iphitus and fled to Mycenae, where Eurystheus purified him and he made his home (Apollodorus, Library 2.5.1).

The Herald at Marathon

After the death of Heracles, Eurystheus pursued his children, and they fled with old Iolaus to the altar of Zeus at Marathon. In Euripides’ Children of Heracles a herald of Eurystheus arrives, tries to drag the suppliants from the altar and throws Iolaus to the ground, until the Athenian king Demophon stops him and sends him back to Argos with threats of war (Euripides, Children of Heracles 55–287). The play does not give the herald a name; later tradition took him to be Copreus.

The Name

The name Copreus comes from the Greek word kopros, “dung”. Homer makes a point of the contrast between the base father and his son Periphetes, who was better in every way (Iliad 15.641–643).

Copreus Sources

Apollodorus, Library 2.5.1; Homer, Iliad 15.638–643; Euripides, Children of Heracles 55–287.

See Also: Eurystheus, Labours of Heracles, Heracles, Nemean Lion, Pelops, Periphetes, Iolaus, Demophon

What the ancient sources say

Passages that name Copreus, in the original with English translation. The line gives the work and reference as scholars cite it.

Euripides, Children of Heracles 236–287First episode: Demophon refuses to give up the suppliantsDemophon gives three reasons for helping the suppliants: they are at the altar of Zeus, they are kinsmen, and it would be shameful to see the free city's…
Euripides, Children of Heracles 55–83Copreus tries to drag the children from the altarThe herald Copreus tells Iolaus that he is a fool to sit at an altar as a suppliant when he will be taken by force and stoned, but Iolaus answers that the…
Euripides, Children of Heracles 84–119Iolaus tells the Chorus who the children are; Demophon arrivesIolaus tells the Chorus that he is from Mycenae and that the children are the sons of Heracles, and Copreus says that Iolaus and the children are subjects…
Apollodorus, The Library (Bibliotheca), with the Epitome 2.5.1–6The Labours of Heracles (1-6): the Nemean Lion to the Stymphalian BirdsHeracles goes to Tiryns and serves Eurystheus, who sets him labours. He strangles the Nemean lion, kills the Lernaean hydra with Iolaus's help, takes the…
Euripides, Children of Heracles 120–180First episode: Copreus claims the exiles for EurystheusDemophon asks who has been wreathing the altar, and the Chorus tells him that the sons of Heracles sit there as suppliants. Copreus declares that he is an…

Copreus Q&A

Who was Copreus?

Copreus was the herald of King Eurystheus of Mycenae. According to Apollodorus, he carried to Heracles the orders for the Labours, because Eurystheus was too frightened to deal with the hero himself.