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Poseidon and Theseus, as shown on an Athenian storage jar dating from about 470 BC. Theseus had two fathers, Aegeus King of Athens and Poseidon, making him both mortal and god, a lineage fit for a hero and founder of the city of Athens in her greatness.
Introduction
According to Castor of Rhodes (first century BC), Theseus inherited the crown of Athens in 1234 BC – just about the time of the Exodus and shortly before the Siege of Troy. As his name implies, during his reign he ‘gathered’ all Attica under Athens, and the overwhelming challenge posed by that task is symbolised by the mythical labours attributed to him.
AEGEUS, king of Athens,* being twice married, and having no children, was so desirous of an heir to his throne that he made a pilgrimage to Delphi in order to consult the oracle.* But the response being ambiguous, he repaired to Troezen to consult his wise friend Pittheus, who reigned over that city, by whose advice he contracted a secret marriage with his friend’s daughter Aethra.
After passing some time with his bride, Aegeus prepared to take his departure for his own dominions; but before doing so he led Aethra to the sea-shore, where, after depositing his sword and sandals under a huge rock, he thus addressed her: “Should the gods bless our union with a son, do not reveal to him the name and rank of his father until he is old enough to possess the strength requisite for moving this stone. Then send him to my palace at Athens bearing these tokens of his identity.”*
For the names used in this story, the peculiarly English (rather than Greek) spelling and pronunciation recommended by Berens has been retained, for example Aegeus = EE-juice. Aegeus lends his name to the Aegean Sea.
Delphi lies some 75 miles northwest of Athens, along a mountainous route following the northern shore of the Gulf of Corinth. The response was ambiguous, writes Berens, which was far from unusual for the Oracle: she preferred the blame for any disappointments to lie with her client.
For a map showing the route taken by Theseus and the locations of the six deadly foes he met along the way, visit Theseus’s Labours at Wikimedia Commons. The map shows in addition the location of Theseus’s encounter with the Minotaur. See Theseus and the Minotaur.
Précis
After Aegeus, King of Athens, had married Aethra in secret he returned home, leaving his sandals and sword behind under a massive rock along with instructions that, should Aethra bear him a son, the boy must one day put aside the rock, gather up the sword and sandals, and present them at Athens in token of his parentage. (58 / 60 words)
After Aegeus, King of Athens, had married Aethra in secret he returned home, leaving his sandals and sword behind under a massive rock along with instructions that, should Aethra bear him a son, the boy must one day put aside the rock, gather up the sword and sandals, and present them at Athens in token of his parentage.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: because, despite, may, or, since, unless, whereas, whether.
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