The  poet  here  turned  with  tender  affection  to  his  native
deme  :  Kolonos  was  holy  ground  also,  because  it  was  con-


SOPHOCLES  OF  KOLONOS  187

secrated  to  those  very  Goddesses  of  the  heavily  burdened
conscience  and  inexorable  requital,  the  Erinyans.  And
here  the  purifications  of  the  unfortunate  come  in :  they
are  an  essential  part  of  the  play.  Attica  purifies  and  fur-
nishes a  departure  in  peace  to  the  Theban  prince,  who  has
been  cast  forth  by  his  own  polis,  his  own  community.
