Extracts from the Life of Theseus
(The lineage of THESEUS.
AEGEUS the father of THESEUS. AETHRA,
daughter of PITHEUS, was the mother of THESEUS. THESEUS visits
the oracle at Delphi. He hears of the robbers infesting the way from
Troezen to Athens, and, remembering how HERCULES had destroyed
many such, resolves to imitate him.)
-
1. THESEUS destroys the robber named PERIPHETES CORYNETES, and spares the life of PERIGOUNA. (He destroys the wild sow named PHEA. He slays CERCYON
the Arcadian in a wrestling match.)
-
2. He arrives at Athens, where MEDEA endeavours to persuade AEGEUS to poison him; but
AEGEUS, recognising him, acknowledges him as his son. (THESEUS
destroys the Pallantides, and takes the bull of MARATHON alive.)
-
3. Why the Athenians paid tribute to MINOS of Crete. The
Cretan labyrinth. THESEUS sails to Crete, and overcomes TAURUS.
-
4. ARIADNE falls in love with THESEUS. THESEUS slays DEUCALION, and deserts ARIADNE. Various accounts of ARIADNE'S fate.
-
5. Death of AEGEUS.
-
6. THESEUS strengthens the city of Athens.
(He coins money stamped with oxen, and institutes the Isthmian games.)
-
7. Death of SOLOIS.
-
8. He wars with the Amazons, concludes
peace, and marries HIPPOLYTA; or, as others say, ANTIOPA. (The
son of THESEUS and ANTIOPA was named HIPPOLYTUS. Various
accounts of his many marriages.)
-
9. His friendship with PIRITHOUS.
-
10. How THESEUS and PIRITHOUS carried off HELEN
and PROSERPINA, (War between the Tyndarides and Athenians.)
-
11. THESEUS delivered from prison by HERCULES. (The Athenians
rebel against THESEUS. Various accounts of his death.)
1.
Desire of fame pricketh men forward to
great enterprises. |
Theseus and
Hercules near kinsmen. |
The wonderful admiration which Theseus
had of Hercules' courage made him in the night that he never dreamed
but of his noble acts and doings) and in the daytime, pricked forwards
with emulation and envy of his glory, he determined with himself
one day to do the like' and the rather, because they were
near kinsmen, being cousins removed by the mother's side. For
Aethra was the daughter of Pitheus, and Alcmena (the mother
of Hercules) was the daughter of Lysidices, the which was half
sister to Pitheus, both children of Pelops and of his wife Hippodamia
So he thought he should be utterly shamed and disgraced,
that Hercules, travelling through the world in that sort,
did seek out those wicked thieves, to rid both sea and land of
them: and that he, far otherwise, should fly occasion that might
be offered him, to fight with them that he should meet on his
way....
With this determination, Theseus holdeth on his purposed
journey, with intent to hurt no man, yet to defend himself,
and to be revenged of those which would take upon them to
assault him.
Periphetes Corynetes
a famous robber, slain of Theseus. |
The first therefore
whom he slew within the territories of the city of Epidaurum,
was a robber called Periphetes.This robber used for his ordinary
weapon to carry a club, and for that cause he was commonly
surnamed Corynetes, that is to say, a club-carrier. So he first
strake at Theseus to make him stand: but Theseus fought so lustily
with him, that he killed him.
Theseus
carried the club he wan of Periphetes, as Hercules did the Lion's skin. |
Whereof he was so glad, and chiefly for that he had won his club, that ever
after he carried it himself about with him, as Hercules did the lion's skin.
And like as this spoil of the lion did witness the greatness of the beast
which Hercules had slain, even so Theseus went all about, strewing
that this club, which he had gotten out of another's hands, was in his
own hands invincible.
Sinnis Pityocamtes,
a cruel murderer, slain. |
And so going on further, in the straits
of Peloponnesus he killed another, called Sinnis, surnamed Pityocamtes,
that is to say, a wreather or bower of pine-apple trees: whom he put
to death in that self
1
cruel manner that Sinnis had slain many other travellers before.
Not that he had experience thereof, by any former practice or
exercise: but only to shew that clean strength could do more than
either art or exercise.
Perigouna Sinnis'
daughter. |
This Sinnis had a goodly fair daughter called Perigouna,
which fled away when she saw her father slain: whom he followed and sought
all about. But she had hidden herself in a grove full of certain
kinds of wild pricking rushes called stoebe, and wild
sperage
2,
which she simply like a child intreated to hide her, as if they
had heard, and had sense to understand her: promising them
with an oath, that if they saved her from being found, she would
never cut them down, nor burn them. But Theseus funding
her, called her, and sware by his faith he would use her gently,
and do her no hurt, nor displeasure at all. Upon which promise
she came out of the bush, and bare unto him a goodly boy,
which was called Menalippus.
Theseus
begat Menalippus of Perigouna. |
Afterwards Theseus married her
unto one Deioneus, the son of Euritus the Oechalian. Of this
Menalippus the son of Theseus, came Ioxus: the which with
Ornytus brought men into the country of Caria, where he built
the city of Ioxides. And. hereof cometh that old ancient ceremony,
observed yet unto this day by those of Ioxides, never
to burn the briars of wild sperage, nor the stoebe, but they have
them in some honour and reverence....
2. It is supposed he arrived in the city of Athens the eighth
day of the month of June, which then they called Cronius. He
found the commonwealth turmoiled with seditions, factions, and
divisions, and particularly the house of Aegeus in very ill teens
also, because that Medea (being banished out of the city of
Corinth) was come to dwell in Athens, and remained with
Aegeus...
Medea persuaded Aegeus
to poison Theseus. |
But when she heard tell that Theseus
was come, before that the good king Aegeus (who was now become
old, suspicious, and afraid of sedition, by reason of the great factions
within the city at that time) knew what he was, she persuaded
him to poison him at a feast which they would make him as a
stranger that passed by. Theseus failed not to go to this pre
pared feast whereunto he was bidden, but yet thought it not
good to disclose himself. And the rather to give Aegeus
occasion
3
and mean
4 to know
him, when they brought the meat to the board, he drew out his
sword as though he would have cut withal, and shewed it unto him.
Aegeus seeing it, knew it straight, and forthwith overthrew
the cup with poison which was prepared for him: and after he
had enquired of him and asked things, he embraced him as his
son. Afterwards in the common assembly of the inhabitants of
the city, he declared how he avowed him for his son. Then all
the people received him with exceeding joy, for the renown of
his valiantness and manhood....
3.
5Shortly after this exploit, there came certain of king
Minos' ambassadors out of Creta, to ask a tribute, being now
the third time that it was demanded; which the Athenians
paid for this cause. Androgeus, the eldest son of king Minos,
was slain by treason within the country of Attica: for which
cause Minos, pursuing the revenge of his death, made very hot
and sharp wars upon the Athenians, and did them great hurt.
But besides all this, the gods did sharply punish and scourge
all the country, as well with barrenness and famine as also with
plague and other mischiefs, even to the drying up of their rivers.
The Athenians perceiving these sore troubles and plagues, ran
to the oracle of Apollo, who answered them that they should
appease Minos, and when they had made their peace with him,
that then the wrath of the gods would cease against them, and
their troubles should have an end.
The manner of the tribute conditioned. |
Whereupon the Athenians
sent immediately unto him, and intreated him for peace: which
he granted them, with condition that they should be bound to
send him yearly, into Creta, seven young boys and as many
young girls. Now thus far all the historiographers do very well
agree, but in the rest not. And they which seem furthest off
from the troth
6, do declare, that when these young boys were
delivered in Creta, they caused them to be devoured by the
Minotaur within the labyrinth: or else that they were shut
within this labyrinth, wandering up and down, and could find
no place to get out, until such time as they died, even famished
for hunger.
The Minotaur what it was. |
And this Minotaur, as Euripides the poet saith,
was
A corpse combin'd, which monstrous might be deem'd:
A boy, a bull, both man and beast it seem'd.
The Labyrinth a prison in Creata. |
But Philochorus writeth, that the Cretans do not confess that,
but say that this labyrinth was a gail
7 or prison, in the which
they had no other hurt, saving that they which were kept there
under lock and key could not fly nor start away: and that Minos
had, in memory of his son Androgeus, instituted games and plays
of prise
8, where he gave unto them that wan the victory those
young children of Athens, the which in the meantime notwithstanding
were carefully kept and looked unto in the prison of
the labyrinth: and that at the first games that were kept, one
of the king's captains called Taurus, who was in best credit
with his master, wan the prise
9.
Taurus one of Minos' captains. |
This Taurus was a churlish
and naughty-natured
10 man of condition
11, and very hard and
cruel to these children of Athens.
Of the Bottieians. Plin.lib.iv.cap. 2. |
And to verify the same, the
philosopher Aristotle himself, speaking of the commonwealth of
the Bottieians, declareth very well, that he never thought that
Minos did at any time cause the children of Athens to be put to
death: but saith, that they poorly toiled in Creta, even to
crooked age, earning their living by true and painful service....
The third time of payment of the tribute. The Athenians are grieved to depart with their children. |
The time now being come about for payment of the third
tribute, when they came to compel the fathers which had
children not yet married, to give them to be put forth to take
their chance and lot: the citizens of Athens began to murmur
against Aegeus, alleging for their grieves
12, that he, w ho only was
the cause of all this evil, was only alone exempted from this
grief. And that, to bring the government of the realm to fall
into the hands of a stranger, he cared not though they were
bereft of all their natural children, and were unnaturally compelled
to leave and forsake them.
Theseus offereth to go with the children into Creata. |
These just sorrows and complaints
of the fathers whose children were taken from them did
pierce the heart of Theseus, who, willing to yield to reason, and
to run the selfsame fortune as the citizens did, willingly offered
himself to be sent thither, without regard taking to
13 his
hap or adventure. For which, the citizens greatly esteemed of
his courage and honourable disposition, and dearly loved him
for the good affection he seemed to bear unto the commonalty.
Lots drawn for the childen that should go. |
But Aegeus having used many reasons and persuasions to cause
him to turn and stay from his purpose, and perceiving in the
end there was no remedy but he would go, he then drew lots
for the children which should go with him. Hellanicus notwithstanding
doth write, that they were not those of the city
which drew lots for the children they should send, but that
Minos himself went thither in person, and did choose them, as
he chose Theseus the first, upon condition agreed between
them: that is to wit, that the Athenians should furnish them
with a ship, and that the children should ship and embark with
him, carrying no weapons of war: and that after the death of
the Minotaur this tribute should cease.
The Athenians sent their children into Creta in a ship with a black sail. Aegeus giveth the master of the ship a white sail to signify the safe return of Theseus. |
Now before that time,
there was never any hope of return, nor of safety of their children;
therefore the Athenians always sent a ship to convey their
children, with a black sail, in token of assured loss. Nevertheless
Theseus putting his father in good hope of him, being of a
good courage, and promising boldly that he would set upon this
Minotaur, Aegeus gave unto the master of the ship a white sail,
commanding him that at his return he should put out the white
sail if his son had escaped: if not, that then he should set up
the black sail, to shew him afar off his unlucky and unfortunate
chance. Simonides notwithstanding cloth say, that this sail
which Aegeus gave to the master, was not white, but red, dyed
in grain, and of the colour of scarlet, and that he gave it him to
signify afar off their delivery and safety. This master was
called Phereclus Amarsiadas, as Simonides saith. But Philochorus
writeth, that Scirus the Salaminian gave to Theseus a
master called Nausitheus, and another mariner to tackle the
sails, who was called Phaeas: because the Athenians at that
time were not greatly practiced to the sea. And this did Scirus,
for that one of the children on whom the lot fell was his nephew:
and thus much the chapels do testify, which Theseus built afterwards
in honour of Nausitheus and of Phaeas, in the village of
Phalerus, joining to the temple of Scirus.
And it is said moreover,
that the feast which they call Cybernesia, that is to say,
the feast of patrons of the ships, is celebrated in honour of
them.
Now after the lots were drawn, Theseus taking with
him the children allotted for the tribute, went from the palace
to the temple called Delphinion, to offer up to Apollo, for him
and for them, an offering of supplication, which they call
hiceteria:
which was an olive bough hallowed, wreathed about with
white wool.
Theseus taketh ship with the tribute children the sixth of March, and saileth into Creata. |
After he had made his prayer, he went down to
the sea-side to embark, the sixth day of the month of March:
on which day at this present time they do send their young girls
to the same temple of Delphinion, there to make their prayers
and petitions to the gods.
But some say, that the oracle of
Apollo in the city of Delphes had answered him, that he should
take Venus for his guide, and that he should call upon her to
conduct him in his voyage: for which cause he did sacrifice a
goat unto her upon the sea-side, which was found suddenly
turned into a ram, and that therefore they surnamed this goddess
Epitragia, as one would say, the goddess of the ram.
Theseus slew the Minotaur by means of Ariadne, king Minos' daughter. |
Furthermore,
after he was arrived in Creta, he slew there the Minotaur
(as the most part of ancient authors do write) by the
means and help of Ariadne: who being fallen in fancy
14 with
him, did give him a clue of thread, by the help whereof she
taught him, how he might easily wind out of the turnings and
crancks
15 of the labyrinth.
Theseus' return out of Creta. |
And they say, that having killed this
Minotaur, he returned back again the same way he went, bringing
with him those other young children of Athens, whom with
Ariadne also he carried afterwards away. Pherecides saith
moreover, that he brake the keels or bottoms of all the ships of
Creta, because they should not suddenly set out after them.
Taurus overcome of Theseus, was a man. |
And Demon writeth, that Taurus (the captain of Minos) was
killed in fight by Theseus, even in the very haven-mouth, as
they were ready to ship away and hoise
16 up sail. Yet Philochorus
reporteth, that king Minos having set up the games, as
he was wont to do yearly in the honour and memory of his son,
every one began to envy captain Taurus, because they ever
looked that he should carry away the game and victory, as he
had done other years before; over and above that, his authority
got him much ill will and envy, because he was proud and
stately, and had in suspicion that he was great with
17 Queen
Pasiphae.
Taurus suspected with Pasiphae, king Minos' wife. |
Wherefore when Theseus required that he might encounter
with Taurus, Minos easily granted it.
How Ariadne fell in love with Theseus. |
And being a
solemn custom in Creta, that the women should be present to
see those open sports and sights, Ariadne, being at these games
amongst the rest, fell further in love with Theseus, seeing him
so goodly a person, so strong, and invincible in wrestling, that
he far exceeded all that wrestled there that day.
Minos sendeth Theseus home with his prisoners, and releaseth the Athenians of their tribute. |
King Minos
was so glad that he had taken away the honour from captain
Taurus, that he sent him home frank
18 and free into his country,
rendering to him all the other prisoners of Athens: and for his
sake clearly released and forgave the city of Athens the tribute,
which they should have paid him yearly....
4.
Theseus sailed into Creta, and wan the city of Gnosus, and slew Deucalion. |
Afterwards when all his ships were ready, and rigged out,
he took sea before the Cretans had any knowledge of it: insomuch
as when they saw them afar off, they did take them for the
barks of their friends. Theseus landed without resistance, and
took the haven. Then having Daedalus, and other banished
Cretans for guides, he entered the city self
19 of Gnosus, where he
slew Deucalion in a fight before the gates of the labyrinth, with
all his guard and officers about him. By this means the kingdom
of Creta fell by inheritance into the hands of his sister
Ariadne. Theseus made league with her, and carried away the
young children of Athens which were kept as hostages, and concluded
peace and amity between the Athenians and the Cretans:
who promised and sware, they would never make wars against
them.
They report many other things also touching this matter,
and specially of Ariadne: but there is no troth
20 nor certainty
in it.
Divers opinions of Ariadne. |
For some say, that Ariadne hung herself for sorrow,
when she saw that Theseus had cast her off. Other write, that
she was transported by mariners into the ile
21 4 of Naxos, where
she was married unto Oenarus the priest of Bacchus: and they
think that Theseus left her, because he was in love with another,
as by these verses should appear:
Aegles, the nymph, was loved of Theseus,
Who was the daughter of Panopeus....
5.
Theseus' master of his ship forgat to set out the white sail. |
But when they drew near to the coast of Attica, they
were so joyful, he and his master
22, that they forget to set up their
white sail, by which they should have given knowledge of their
health and safety unto Aegeus.
Who seeing the black sail afar
off, being out of all hope ever more to see his son again, took
such a grief at his heart, that he threw himself headlong from
the top of a cliff, and killed himself.
Theseus arriveth safe with the tribute children in the haven of Phalerus. |
So soon as Theseus was
arrived at the port named Phalerus, he performed the sacrifices
which he had vowed to the gods at his departure: and sent an
herald of his before unto the city, to carry news of his safe arrival.
The herald found many of the city mourning the death of
King Aegeus. Many other received him with great joy, as may
be supposed. They would have crowned him also with a garland
of flowers, for that he had brought so good tidings, that the
children of the city were returned in safety.
The herald bare a rod in his hand. |
The herald was
content to take the garland, yet would he not in any wise put it
on his head, but did wind it about his herald's rod he bare in
his hand, and so returned forthwith to the sea, where Theseus
made his sacrifices. Who perceiving they were not yet done,
did refuse to enter into the temple, and stayed without for
23 troubling
of the sacrifices. Afterwards, all ceremonies finished, he
went in and told him the news of his father's death. Then he
and his company, mourning for sorrow, hasted with speed towards
the city....
6. Furthermore, after the death of his father Aegeus, he undertook
a marvellous great enterprise.
Theseus brought the inhabitants of the country of Attica into one city. |
For he brought all the
inhabitants of the whole province of Attica to be within the city
of Athens, and made them all one corporation, which were before
dispersed into divers villages, and by reason thereof were
very hard to be assembled together, when occasion was offered
to establish any order concerning the common state. Many
times also they were at variance together and by the ears
24, making
wars one upon another. But Theseus took the pains to go
from village to village, and from family to family, to let them
understand the reasons why they should consent unto it. So he
found the poor people and private men ready to obey and follow
his will, but the rich, and such as had authority in every village,
all against it. Nevertheless he wan them, promising that it
should be a commonwealth, and not subject to the power of any
sole prince, but rather a popular state. In which he would only
reserve to himself the charge of the wars, and the preservation
of the laws: for the rest, he was content that every citizen, in all
and for all; should bear a like sway and authority. So there
were some that willingly granted thereto. Other
25 who had no
liking thereof, yielded notwithstanding for fear of his displeasure
and power, which then was very great. So they thought it better
to consent with good will unto that he required, than to
tarry his forcible compulsion. Then he caused all the places
u here justice was ministered, and all their halls of assembly, to
be overthrown and pulled down.
Asty the town-house of the Athenians. |
He removed straight all
judges and officers, and built a town-house, and a council-hall,
in the place where the city now standeth, which the Athenians
call Asty, but he called the whole corporation of then, Athens.
The feasts Panathenaea and Metaecia. |
Afterwards he instituted the great feast and common sacrifice
for all the country of Attica, which they call Panathenaea.
Then he ordained another feast also upon the sixteenth day of
the month of June, for all strangers which should come to dwell
in Athens, which was called Metoecia, and is kept even to this
day.
Theseus resigneth his kingdom, and maketh Athens a commonwealth. |
That done, he gave over his regal power according to his
promise, and began to set up an estate or policy of a commonwealth,
beginning first with the service of the gods....
7.
Theseus' journey into Mare Major. |
Touching the voyage he made by the sea Major, Philochorus,
and some other hold opinion, that he went thither with
Hercules against the Amazons: and that to honour his valiantness,
Hercules gave him Antiopa the Amazon. But the more
part of the other historiographers, namely, Hellanicus, Pherecides,
and Herodotus, do write, that Theseus went thither alone,
after Hercules' voyage, and that he took this Amazon prisoner;
which is likeliest to be true. For we do not find that any other
who went this Journey with him, had taken any Amazon prisoner
besides himself. Bion also the historiographer, this notwithstanding,
saith, that he brought her away by deceit and stealth.
Antiopa the Amazon carried off by Theseus. |
For the Amazons (saith he) naturally loving men, did not fly at
all when they saw them land in their country, but sent them
presents, and that Theseus enticed her to come into his ship,
who brought him a present: and so soon as she was aboard, he
hoised
26 his sail, and so carried her away. Another historiographer
Menecrates, who wrote the history of the city of Nicea
in the country of Bithynia, saith: that Theseus having this Amazon
Antiopa with him, remained a certain time upon those
coasts, and that amongst other he had in his company three
younger brethren of Athens, Euneus, Thoas, and Solois.
Solois fell in love with Antiopa. |
This
last, Solois, was marvellousIy in love with Antiopa, and never
bewrayed
27 it to any of his other companions, saving unto one
with whom he was most familiar, and whom he trusted best: so
that he reported this matter unto Antiopa. But she utterly rejected
his suit, though otherwise she handled it wisely and
courteously, and did not complain to Theseus of him.
Solois drowned himself for love. |
Howbeit
the young man, despairing to enjoy his love, took it so inwardly
28,
that desperately he leaped into the river' and drowned himself.
Which when Theseus understood
29, and the cause also that
brought him to this desperation and end, he was very sorry,
and angry also. Whereupon he remembered a certain oracle
of Pythia, by whom he was commanded to build a city in that
place in a strange country, where he should be most sorry, and
that he should leave some that were about him at that time, to
govern the same.
Pythopolis built by Theseus. |
For this cause therefore he built a city in
that place, which he named Pythopolis, because he built it only
by the commandment of the nun Pythia He called the river,
in the which the young man was drowned, Solois, in memory of
him: and left his two brethren for his deputies and as governors
of this new city, with another gentleman of Athens, called
Hermus....
8.
The cause of the wars of the Amazons against the Athenians. |
Now hear what was the occasion of the wars of the Amazons,
which me thinks was not a matter of small moment, nor
an enterprise of a woman. For they had not placed their camp
within the very city of Athens, nor had not fought in the very
place itself (called Pnyce) adjoining to the temple of the Muses,
if they had not first conquered or subdued all the country thereabouts:
neither had they all come at the first, so valiantly to
assail the city of Athens.
Bosphorus Cimmericus, an arm of the sea. |
Now, whether they came by land
from so far a country, or that they passed over an arm of the
sea, which is called Bosphorus Cimmericus, being frozen as
Hellanicus saith: it is hardly to be credited. But that they'
camped within the precinct of the very city itself, the names of
the places which continue yet to this present day do witness it,
and the graves also of the women which died there. But so it
is, that both armies lay a great time one in the face of the other,
ere they came to battle.
Theseus fighteth a battle with the Amazons. |
Howbeit at the length Theseus, having
first made sacrifice unto Fear the goddess, according to the'
counsel of a prophecy he had received, he gave them battle in
the month of August, on the same day in the which the Athenians
do even at this present solemnise the feast which they
call Boedromia.
The order of the Amazons' battle. |
But Clidemus the historiographer, desirous
particularly to write all the circumstances of this encounter,;
saith, that the left point of their battle bent towards the place
which they call Amazonion: and that the right point marched
by the side of Chrysa, even to the place which is called Pnyce,
upon which the Athenians, coming towards the temple of the
Muses, did first give their charge. And for proof that this is
true, the graves of the women which died in the first encounter,
are found yet in the great street which goeth towards the gate
Piraica, near unto the chapel of the little god Chalcodus. And
the Athenians (saith he) were in this place repulsed by the
Amazons, even to the place where the images of Eumenides are,
that is to say, of the furies. But on the other side also, the
Athenians, coming towards the quarters of Palladium, Ardettus,
and Lucium, drave
30 back their right point even to within their
camp, and slew a great number of them.
Peace concluded at four months, and by the means of Hippolyta. |
Afterwards, at the
end of four months, peace was taken between them by means
of one of the women called Hippolyta. For this historiographer
calleth the Amazon which Theseus married, Hippolyta, and not
Antiopa. Nevertheless, some say that she was slain (fighting
on Theseus' side) with a dart, by another called Molpadia. In
memory whereof, the pillar which is joined to the temple of the
Olympian ground was set up in her honour. We are not to
marvel, if the history of things so ancient be found so diversely
written....
9.
Albeit in his time other princes of Greece had done
many goodly and notable exploits in the wars, yet Herodotus is
of opinion, that Theseus was never in any one of them, saying
that he was at the battle of the Lapithae against the Centauri.
Others say, to the contrary, that he was at the Journey of Cholchide
31
with Jason, and that he did help Meleager to kill the
wild boar of Calydonia: from whence (as they say) this proverb
came, 'Not without Theseus;' meaning that such a thing was
not done without great help of another.
Proverb. Not without Theseus. |
Howbeit, it is certain
that Theseus self did many famous acts without aid of any man
and that, for his valiantness, this proverb came in use, which is
spoken 'This is another Theseus.' Also he did help Adrastus,
king of the Argives, to recover the bodies of those that were
slain in the battle before the city of Thebes. Howbeit, it was
not, as the poet Euripides saith, by force of arms, after he had
overcome the Thebans in battle, but it was by composition
32.
And thus the greatest number of the most ancient writers do
declare it. Furthermore, Philochorus writeth that this was the
very first treaty that ever was made to recover the dead bodies
slain in battle. Nevertheless, we read in the histories and
gests
33 of Hercules, that he was the first that ever suffered his
enemies to carry away their dead bodies, after they had been
put to the sword. But whosoever he was, at this day, in the
village of Eleutheres
34, they do shew the place where the people
were buried, and where princes' tombs are seen about the city
of Eleusin
35, which he made at the request of Adrastus. And
for testimony hereof, the tragedy Aeschylus made of the Eleusinians,
where he causeth it to be spoken even thus to Theseus
himself, cloth clearly overthrow the Petitioners
36 in Euripides.
Theseus' valiantness the cause of Pirithous' friendship with him. |
Touching the friendship betwixt Pirithous and him, it is said
it began thus. The renown of his valiancy was marvellously
blown abroad through all Greece, and Pirithous, desirous to
know it by experience, went even of purpose to invade his
country, and brought away a certain booty of oxen of his, taken
out of the country of Marathon. Theseus, being advertised
37
thereof, armed straight, and went to the rescue. Pirithous,
hearing of his coming, fled not at all, but returned back suddenly
to meet him. And so soon as they came to see one another,
they both wondered at each other's beauty and courage,
and so had they no desire to fight. But Pirithous, reaching out
his hand first to Theseus, said unto him: "I make yourself
judge of the damage you have sustained by my invasion, and
with all my heart I will make such satisfaction, as it shall please
you to assess it at." Theseus then did not only release him of
all the damages he had done, but also requested him he would
become his friend and brother-in-arms.
Pirithous and Theseus sworn brethren in the field. |
Hereupon they were
presently sworn brethren in the field: after which oath betwixt
them, Pirithous married Deidamia, and sent to pray Theseus to
come to his marriage, to visit his country, and to make merry
with the Lapithae ..
10.
The manner of Helen's ravishment. |
Theseus and Pirithous went together to the city of Lacedaemon,
where they took away Helen (being yet very young)
even as she was dancing in the temple of Diana surnamed
Orthia: and they fled for life. They of Lacedaemon sent after
her; but those that followed went no further than the city of
Tegea. Now when they were escaped out of the country of
Peloponnesus, they agreed to draw lots together, which of them
two should have her, with condition that whose lot it were to
have her, he should take her to his wife, and should be bound
also to help his companion to get him another.
Theseus left Helen in the city of Aphidnae. |
It was Theseus'
hap to light upon her, who carried her to the city of Aphidnes
38,
because she was yet too young to be married. Whither he
caused his mother to come to bring her up, and gave his friend
called Aphidnus the charge of them both, recommending her to
his good care, and to keep it so secretly, that nobody should
know what was become of her.
Theseus went with Pirithous into Epirus to steal Proserpina Aedoneus' daughter. |
Because he would do the like
for Pirithous (according to the agreement made betwixt them)
he went into Epirus with him to steal the daughter of Aidoneus,
king of the Molossians, who had surnamed his wife Proserpina,
his daughter Proserpina, and his dog Cerberus, with whom he
made them fight which came to ask his daughter in marriage,
promising to give her to him that should overcome his Cerberus.
But the king understanding that Pirithous. was come, not to
request his daughter in marriage, but to steal her away, he took
him prisoner with Theseus: and as for Pirithous, he caused him
presently
39 to be torn in pieces with his dog, and shut Theseus
up in close prison.......
11. But Aedoneus king of the Molossians, feasting Hercules
one day as he passed through his realm, descended by chance
into talk of Theseus and Pirithous, how they came to steal
away his daughter secretly: and after told how they were also
punished.
Theseus delivered out of prison by Hercules' means. |
Hercules was marvellous sorry to understand that
one of them was now dead, and the other in danger to die;
and thought with himself that to make his moan to Aedoneus,
it would not help the matter: he besought him only that he
would deliver Theseus for his sake. And he granted him. Thus
Theseus being delivered of his captivity, returned to Athens,
where his friends were not altogether kept under by his enemies:
and at his return he did dedicate to Hercules all the
temples, which the city had before caused to be built in his own
honour....