1. Heracles (Hercules) was revered from early times, because of his ‘labours’, as a benefactor of mankind and a model of courage and endurance; he was later credited with other virtues, such as wisdom and self-control, which are not conspicuous in the stories told about him. Prodicus of Ceos was an eminent contemporary of Socrates and a member of the sophistic movement.

2. Compare The Estate-manager, 10.

3. Reading ἀεἱ ἔση with Diels.