Before becoming the King of Athens, young Theseus set out from Troezen to claim his birthright. Though his mother urged him to take the safe passage by sea, Theseus sought to emulate his cousin Heracles by traveling the treacherous land route. His journey became a gauntlet of six legendary labors. First, he met Periphetes, who beat travelers with a bronze club; Theseus wrestled the weapon away and slew him. Next came Sinis, who tore victims apart using bent pine trees; Theseus gave him the same end. He then hunted the ferocious Crommyonian Sow that ravaged the countryside. At the cliffs of Megara, he encountered Sciron, who forced travelers to wash his feet before kicking them into the sea; Theseus hurled the bandit over the precipice. In Eleusis, he out-wrestled the king Cercyon to the death. Finally, he met Procrustes, who fit guests to his iron bed by stretching them or lopping off their limbs; Theseus adjusted the giant to fit his own bed. Arriving in Athens, Theseus was no longer just a prince, but a proven protector of the people.
True justice often requires meeting cruelty with courage, ensuring that the wicked suffer the very fates they once inflicted upon others.
Questions about this story
What is the moral of Theseus and the Six Labors?
The story emphasizes the concept of poetic justice and the duty of a leader to protect their people. It shows that a hero must have the courage to face societal threats directly rather than taking the easy path.
Who were the six villains Theseus defeated?
The six villains were Periphetes the club-bearer, Sinis the pine-bender, the Crommyonian Sow, Sciron the cliff-pusher, Cercyon the wrestler, and Procrustes the stretcher.
Why did Theseus choose the land route to Athens?
Theseus chose the dangerous land route over the safe sea passage because he wanted to prove his heroism. He sought to emulate the greatness of his cousin Heracles by clearing the road of outlaws and monsters.
What was the 'Bed of Procrustes'?
It was an iron bed where the bandit Procrustes forced travelers to lie; if they were too short, he stretched them, and if too long, he cut off their limbs. Today, the term 'Procrustean bed' refers to an arbitrary standard to which everyone is forced to conform.
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Good night.
