ABSTRACT
Theseus was the ˆillegitimateˆ son of Ægeus King of Athens he was brought up in obscurity but the noble blood that flowed in his veins the nobility of his birth shone forth in his actions and sentiments. When he was grown up his mother discovered his birth to him and urged him to take shipping for Athens.a But Greece then being then infested by a multitude of savage animals both brute & human Theseus prefered the hazards of a land journey in which he might make himself both useful and famous to the safe but inglorious sea voyage – after freeing the intermediate country from ro murderers of every species he arrived at the palace of his father who received him with open arms. He did ˆ[?ho]ˆ not however remain inactive but [?ma] devoted himself as one of the tribute youths to be sacrifised to the minotaur in Crete – the story is well known Theseus destroyed the monster and returned in triumph to Athens – a mistake in the signals agreed upon caused Ægeus who was watching on a rock to doubt of the safe return of his son. He threw hims himself into the sea and was drowned – Theseus was now king of Athens but his mind mind not cast / in a common mould would not allow him to remain a petty sovereign over a barbarous and scattered people. but he attempted & succeeded in settling all the inhabitants of Attica in Athens who before were scattered up and down and could with difficulty be assembled on any pressing occasion for the public good. From this time he was engaged in wars with neigh-bouring nations and his actions were more those of a conqueror than a great & disinterrested hero. An interesting record however is preserved of him and his devoted friendship for Perithous the origen of which is related in the following manner. Theseus being much celebrated for his strength and valour Perithous was desirous to prove it and drove away his oxen from Marathonb – When he heard Theseus pursued him in arms he did not fly but turned back to meet him. But as soon as they beheld one another each was so struck with admiration of the other[’]s person & courage that they laid aside all thoughts of fighting and Perithous first giving Theseus his hand bade him judge in this cause by ˆforˆ himself and he would abide by his sentence – Theseus / in his turn left the cause to him and desired him to be his friend and fellow warrior. Then they confirmed
204their friendship by an oach a oatha which they preserved till death for Perithous going to carry off the daug daughter of Aidoneus King of the Molossiansb for his wife he was slain & Theseus who camed to his aid confined in prison till delivered by Hercules. But on his return to the city he had founded he found the people corrupted and his enemies triumphant anger and dissapointment caused him to quit Attica and to retire to Scyros but soon after his arrival he was treacherously killed by the king of the country.c /
