Scene: Before the palace of Oedipus at Thebes. In front of the large central doors βασίλειος θύρα there is an altar; a smaller altar stands also near each of the two side-doors: see verse 16. Suppliantsold men, youths, and young childrenare seated on the steps of the altars. They are dressed in white tunics and cloaks, their hair bound with white fillets. On the altars they have laid down olive-branches wreathed with fillets of wool. The PRIEST OF ZEUS, a venerable man, is alone standing, facing the central doors of the palace. These are now thrown open: followed by two attendants πρόσπολοι, who place themselves on either side of the doors, OEDIPUS enters, in the robes of a king: for a moment he gazes silently on the groups at the altars, and then speaks. See Appendix, Note 1, sect. 1.

Oedipus asks why they are suppliants. The Priest of Zeus, speaking for the rest, prays him to save them, with the gods' help, from the blight and the plague. Oedipus answers that he has already sent Creon to consult Apollo at Delphi, and will do whatever the god shall bid.