THE FIRST EXPLOITS OF THESEUS. HE FINDS HIS FATHER
To the northwest of Trœzene is a tongue of land projecting into the
Ægean Sea. In ancient times the town of Epidauros was situated upon
it, and the temple, where Asklepios, the God of Healing, was
worshipped, stood near by. It was a wild country whose hills were
covered with trees and shrubs--the hiding-place of lawless robbers,
the boldest of whom was named Periphetes. He was also called
Korynetes, and he used an iron crown for a weapon, and with it he
smashed the heads of travellers.
Periphetes put himself in Theseus' way and would not let him go on.
But the youth grappled with him, and taking his iron crown from him,
crushed him to death with it. Theseus carried the crown as his own
particular weapon, just as Herakles wore the skin of the Nemean lion.
The most cruel of all the robbers lived a few miles farther to the
north, on the Isthmus of Corinth, and his name was Sinis. He was
called the Tree-bender, because he used to bend together two young
pines. Then he would tie a man by a leg and arm to each tree and let
the trees spring back, tearing the poor wretch to pieces. Theseus
punished this malefactor by giving him the same treatment that he gave
to others, and the people of the Isthmus were so grateful that they
started a festival, called the Isthmian Games, to be held in honor of
the hero every year.
On to the north went Theseus. He slew a man-eating boar at Krommyon,
which had long terrified the people of that district. Coming among the
wild cliffs near the sea in Megaris, he heard of the cruel giant
Skiron, who used to lie in wait for travellers. This evil-doer
compelled those who fell into his power to wash his feet. This task
performed, he flung the unlucky traveller into the sea.
When Theseus passed his den Skiron ordered him to wash his feet, and
Theseus answered: "To tell the truth, friend Skiron, thy demand is too
small. I would willingly do more for thee. Not only are thy feet in
need of a bath but so is thy whole body. The sea is near and I will
give thee a thorough washing." And he seized Skiron around the body
and flung him over the rocks into the breakers. From that time until
to-day the rocks are called the Skironian Cliffs.
A little farther on Theseus came upon another famous robber known far
and near as the Stretcher, Korydallon, or Prokrustes. This robber used
to force the wayfarer to lie down on a bed which was always too long
or too short for him. If the traveller proved too tall for the bed,
Prokrustes would cut off his feet and legs to make him short enough to
fit it. But if the traveller were too short for the bed, he would have
him stretched until his feet touched the foot-board. Prokrustes
invited Theseus to try the bed, but Theseus answered him: "Thou shalt
try it first, friend Prokrustes, and I will try it after thee." Then
Prokrustes was compelled to lie down in the bed, which was much too
short for him, and Theseus cut off his head and his feet to make him
fit the bed, as the cruel Stretcher had done to so many hapless
strangers. Theseus exterminated a great many more cruel robbers who
had made the roads to Athens unsafe, and the glory of his deeds went
on before him.
Theseus, having performed these brave deeds, reached Athens; but the
rougher class, seeing a stranger who wore a garb of a different
fashion from their own, scoffed at him, as is the custom of vulgar
people. His hair was long and his form slender, so they called him a
girl and told him that he ought to take his nurse with him to protect
him. As he walked along among these coarse people he came to a wagon
heavily laden. He took up the wagon with its load and tossed it high
in the air as easily as he would toss a ball, much to the astonishment
of his tormentors.
Theseus having come to the king's palace in Athens, at once presented
himself before Ægeus. But he did not immediately make himself known as
his son. When he was called to the table as a guest he drew his sword
as if he wanted to eat the meat with it, and Ægeus recognized him as
his son and received him with joy and affection. Calling together the
citizens he proclaimed Theseus his son and successor.
The citizens had heard of his heroic exploits, and acknowledged him
heir to the throne amid general rejoicings. Only the nephews of Ægeus
were sorry that Theseus had appeared in their midst. They had hoped to
inherit the kingdom after their uncle's death, believing that he had
no children. But now that Theseus came among them as a successor to
the throne, they rebelled.
Theseus was brave and strong enough to defend his father and himself.
He fought the rebels one after another and killed them. These
victories increased his glory greatly and won him the hearts of the
people of Athens.