Friday 2nd May, 1974 BC

Heracles Slays Family!

Yesterday Greece was shocked when it found out that the great hero Heracles had killed his beloved wife and six beautiful children in a fit of madness. It seems that he mistook them for terrible monsters. When he recovered and saw what he had done he was horrified and heartbroken.

We asked Heracles what had happened that day. He told us that his wife, Megara, and children had been playing happily beneath the shade of a tree. He said, "Suddenly, a weird feeling came over me. My eyes felt strange and I rubbed them hard. When I looked again I saw seven huge, hairy, horrific monsters in front of me. I quickly picked up my bow and shot them all with my arrows." When the madness had passed and he saw what he had done he felt terrible.

The question is, why should such a great man suddenly go insane? People say that the real father of Heracles is Zeus, the king of the gods. Perhaps his jealous wife, Hera, is responsible for what had happened to him.

Megara, the wife of Heracles

Heracles is very sad and full of remorse. He is going to Delphi to see the Oracle to ask her what he must do to pay for his crimes.

Reporters:
Claire Withington & Felicity Spencer