HERACLES. Mount to the top of the highest tower ...
DIONYSUS. To do what?
HERACLES. ... and there keep your eye on the torch, which is to be the signal. When the spectators demand it to be flung, fling yourself ...
DIONYSUS. Where?
HERACLES. ... down.
DIONYSUS. But I should break the two hemispheres of my brain. Thanks for your road, but I don't want it.
HERACLES. But which one then?
DIONYSUS. The one you once travelled yourself.
[406] A quarter of Athens where the Lampadephoria was held in honour of Athene, Hephaestus, and Prometheus, because the first had given the mortals oil, the second had invented the lamp, and the third had stolen fire from heaven. The principal part of this festival consisted in the lampadedromia, or torch-race. This name was given to a race in which the competitors for the prize ran with a torch in their hand; it was essential that the goal should be reached with the torch still alight. The signal for starting was given by throwing a torch from the top of the tower mentioned a few verses later on.