Nycomedes by Pierre Corneille. Short summary

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Nicomedes is the eldest son of King Prusias and heir to the throne. But the king’s second wife wants her son Atallus to have the throne. The woman weaves intrigues and tries her best to smear Nicomedes.

1 minute

The heroes of the tragedy are two brothers born to the same father, King Bithynius Prusius. Nicomedes is the son from his first marriage, a hero and a successful general. Atallus is the son of Arsinoe’s second wife, who lived in Rome as a hostage from the age of four.

Both sons arrived at their father’s court. Arsinoe subjected the old Prusias to her influence and tries to make his son Atallus heir to the throne. Both brothers love the Armenian princess Laodicea, but she favors Nicomedes. Arsinoia weaves intrigues and turns Prusias against his eldest son. The Roman ambassador Flaminius also insists that Atallas be appointed heir.

Courageous Nicomedes resists all his enemies and defends his love. In the end, Nicomedes approaches the throne, gradually taking the reins. In the finale, the magnanimous prince forgives all enemies and thinks nothing of revenge. It also transpires that the mysterious man who freed Nicomedes is his brother Attalus. Nicomedes has touched his stepmother’s heart, and the latter sincerely promises to love him as if he were her own son.