Introduction

In a brief digression in his Histories, the ancient Greek historian Herodotus tells the tale of Arion and the dolphin. Arion, the famous poet and lyrist, boarded a boat journeying from Tarsus to Corinth. On the way, the sailors plotted to kill him and steal his money. After singing one last song, Arion jumped overboard into the sea. “But according to what they say, a dolphin took up Arion on its back and brought him to shore at Tainaron.”1 Arion then made his way to Corinth and confronted the shocked sailors when they arrived.