Persons of the Drama + 

Laias, uncle of Aepytus, brother of Merope + 

Aepytus, son of Merope and Cresphontes + 

Polyphontes, king of Messenia + 

Merope, widow of Cresphontes, the murdered king of Messenia + 

The Chorus, of Messenian maidens + 

Arcas, an old man of Merope’s household + 

Messenger + 

Guards, Attendants, etc. + 

The Scene is before the royal palace in Stenyclaros, the capital of Messenia. In the foreground is the tomb of Cresphontes. The action commences at daybreak. + 