ABSTRACT
Perseus, Bellerophon and Jason illustrate the advantage of heroes when supported by divine approval and the magic that can go with it, be it a kit for killing Medusa or the provision of a flying horse. The Greek version of the Two Brothers tale is short beside the much older Ancient Egyptian version, perhaps the strongest link between an ancient and modern version of the same tale. Euthymus offers a hero tale which unexpectedly connects with Red Riding Hood, thanks to Pausanias’ description of a painting with the predator in a wolfskin. In the Gyges legend we seem within striking distance of Aladdin, long before the age of Galland or even the Arabian Nights.
