Diary of Theseus: The Road to Athens 1- The Club Wielder

Tonight I shall sleep well. All that I saw for my future, for my world was proven today in my travels. Like the great Herakles, I was challenged by a great force that divided the land. Periphetes. In Epidaurus I came across this beast of a man. He, the son of Hephaistos with his iron club. I own his club now!

I walked on the path by the swift moving coastal route en right into Epidaurus. And there I was confronted by the Korynetes, Periphetes. He was a slow man. I'm inclined to say he suffered some crippling malign, but that did not excuse his attempt to bludgeon me to death. Me! Theseus. I am the son of a King!

I saw him at the side of the road leaning against the long metal handle of his club. I thought him asleep and made to walk past when I snatched a picture of him watching me out of the corner of my eyes. The thief would steal my life when my back was turned. I took another step slow and labored as I plotted how to prevent his attack, and saw him raise the heavy dull metal club over his head.
Swirling with the speed of one righteous, I caught him off guard, snatched the club from his thick fingers and gave to him what he intended for me. My arms went straining down as I let his club fall repeatedly on him. I could not stop but I did not want to. In the previous town off the circuit following the coastal route to Athens, they spoken of the many loved one and strangers who'd come across this monstrosity of the gods, and had lost their lives. Periphetes' club, my club came down on him. No more. No more loss of innocent life to this monster. When he was dead, the road ran red with blood and bone. But I felt no remorse. And then the gods sent down rain to clean away the path and to clean off the stench of death on my body.

Now this part of the road to Athens is clean, as am I, and I feel accomplishment at having made some small place in the world, safe. I shall continue to restore the safety of this route as long as the gods are willing. I must sleep now. My eyes quickly lose their allegiance to me in times of need.
I am anxious to see what comes tomorrow.

Diary of Theseus- 16, The Altar of Zeus' Strength

I am on my way to my father tonight, having retrieved my birthright from the Alter of Zeus' strength. I travel alone along the coast, much to my mother's horror and likely my grandfather's concern. Yet it is the right thing to do to travel as the gods seem fit.

But I would speak of claiming my birthright. Upon my return from Delphi, my mother took me in the steps of my father, as it were, to the Alter of Zeus strength. It is but a a large rock in the shape of a Titan's bench. I have passed it in innocence many times before in my youth as well as quite recently. It is here my mother paused, her colorful robes catching up the dust of the bend behind us. We stood at a cross-roads, where the rock marked the intersection and for a moment, I thought she had forgotten the way.

Then she swept her hand at the rock, though she would not look at it, and I knew what I was to do. "I am to lift the rock to prove my worth?" She but nodded as I put my hand on her shoulder. I felt her distress. I understood it. She and I knew my time with her was short.

My mother took a big breath then looked up at me, her eyes straining in unshed tears. "Your father's sword and sandals lie beneath the altar. Move the altar and take your birthright and you will be set to the path you were always meant for. You shall see your father, Aigeus... but do not forget about me, son. You are a prince of Troezen as well as Athens."

I nodded subdued, though my heart leapt at the thought of beginning the journey my grandfather had spoken of since before I could remember. Adventure! The altar was large and dense, but I was the son of a god and the son of a King. Setting aside my cloak, I stepped forward and grasped the bottom of the rock then heaved up with all my strength- I felt the altar move with me. I jostled the rock aside then stopped and let the rock drop when Aithra gasped. I had revealed the sword and sandals.

I turned and looked in the shallow basin under the rock, and there lay the tribute of my father. I pulled the sandals and sword out and quickly took off my own footwea . Slipping the dark dusty wood and leather onto my feet I swear I felt the air around me tighten. I was claiming my destiny.

Of the sword, I grabbed it and placed it behind my belt. There was nothing grand about either of these articles, but that they bore the mark of my father's house and were the keys to the throne of Athens.

Turning, I gave my mother a hug and tried to console her though my thoughts had already flown ahead onto the road before me. "I shall take the coast road to Athens," I told her. Thus ensued an argument for the sake of delay as well as honest concern, but I am a man now and I am the son of a King. I could not be delayed. I finally pulled away and sent her with my men, back to my grandfather with the promise that I would take great care of myself. And I shall. My path and life are predestined. Come what may, none will deter the Moirai. None shall deter my fate!

Diary of Theseus- 16, Journey- Delphi

Tonight I use my quill and write with the moon as my sconce. My men and I rest beside the road on our route back to Troezen and still smell the fresh Corinthian sea at our backs. I return from Delphi, the cloak of my manhood now ensured. It was something I had to do as all princes must when they come of age. I put off my journey with my mother to fulfill this requirement. I traveled beyond Megara to the temple and spoke to Apollo through the Pythia. It was an altering experience. I was so moved in the presence of the son of Zeus, yet found consolation that he who brings us reason, brings us civilization, still deems us worthy of his speech.

In the dark tunnel within the temple, away from the light and beauty of plentiful Parnassus, yet within the bowels of the great mountain, I stared at the Pythia as she sat upon her tall stool. This vessel of Apollo would not look at me, nor was I allowed to approach but only extended my offering in a phiale that was a sister to the one she held in her left palm. In her right, she held Apollo's laurel, and as I made this sacrifice of manhood, she slumped and a sweet vapor, entered my nostrils. Her hand- she did flick the laurel in my direction, and then, finally looked up at me beyond the columns that protected Apollo's domain in the temple; and I looked into the eyes of Apollo and saw myself. I was a man.

To Apollo, I gave my first man-clippings of hair. Pittheus says it follows a tradition of great warriors and indeed as I left the temple, I felt invigorated and powerful. It is said in Abantes, men also shave the tops of their head to prevent giving their enemies an advantage in battle. I relish battle in this moment! I am ready to claim my birthright. My life is about to begin!

When I return to Troezen Aithra shall take me to the place of my father's tribute and then I shall leave her to reunite this world. It is what I was meant for. Why else would I have been born, a prince of two cities, but to unite the land between under my own rule? This shall be my life-long task.

Diary of Theseus- 15 and 8mos.

15 years-
I am Theseus, son of Aithra and Aigeus, or so my grandfather Pittheus tells me. My mother will say nothing of my birth. I was born here in Troizen, once a great city, a hub of activity ruled by great kings. Alas, our rulership has fallen into decline but my grandfather holds tight to the day when I leave Troizen to reunite with my father Aigeus.

It is on those nights when we speak of my leaving, that my mother rushes from the coolness of the hall, her eyes filled with tears. In many ways, I wish to strangle my grandfather for his lack of concern for her. But that is the way of the owrld. I do so love her. Yet she is but a vassel for my life and she recognizes, herself, that she existed to sacrifice her body to bring me into this world.

Soon though, it will be time to go. But by some odd twist of fate, it is my mother whom Aigeus gave the power of my departure. Only she knows where I may find my father's tribute. He said nothing to Pittheus. I am almost a man now, yet it will be for her to determine my readiness to receive the materials of my birthright! My father's sword and sandals. These are the 'gifts for men' and would prove my paternity when I arrive at the house of my father. Those words have been repeated to me from before my memory.

"These are the gifts of men," my mother ever reminds me. But I am nearly a man and soon she'll have to let me go to my manhood.

Diary of Theseus- 15 and 11mos.- of my birth

I must recount my mother's story. Men's behavior did not make my mother happy. She found happiness only in womanly endeavors, women's pursuits. I usually did not try to understand my mother when she pouted in her unhappiness, but there was a thoughtful pensiveness in Pittheus yesterday as he told me of my brush the the hero, Herakles, that caused me to rise and follow my mother through the large wooden doors.

Somehw I knew there were two stories to be told yesterday. My mother lay couched in her solar, her slave, Dianne, fanning Aithra as nervous sweat beaded her brow, undeterred. I thought she would send me away. She usually did when her eyes grew unseeing with sadness. But spying me at the door, a pale hand gestured me forward so I came in.

"You are almost a man now, Theseus I can see it clearly in your prowess as a hunter. Your grandfather sees it as well. Come and sit by me," she said as she waved Dianne away and flipped her fingers at a nearby stool. Rather impatiently, I snatched the wood stool over. I hate the drama of women and felt at the time only disgust for my mother's weakness for the dramatic. But she ignored my anger and bade me move closer so she could tell me the story of my conception. If she had stated earlier the matter to which she was going to speak, I would have come eagerly before then.

Pitteheus, she explained, was visited by Aigeus one late evening on his way from the Oracle at Delphi. He was so beleagured and frustrated he told my grandfather of the riddle the Oracle spun for him when he asked about begetting a son. My grandfather, though, understood the riddle and explained- my mother was angry as she said this- Aigeus was to have a son the next time he lay with a woman. Mother says my father made to leave that very moment to go home and beget a son, but Pittheus, in a sudden moment of comprehension, lied and stated Ageius would not reach home in time to get a son with his wife. He offered my mother as substitute and Ageius gratefully accepted.

I had guessed this much about the story. Over the years the men have spoken in quiet corners and behind concealing hands. I knew my mother had lain with Ageius in obeisance to Pittheus. But my mother's story wasn't finished. In the middle of the night, after obliging the whim of her father, my mother was awakened the the goddess Athene, who coerced her to the island of Sphairia.
"Why did she want you to go there?" I asked my mother? I could not fathom what would have caused a god to take notice of Aithra. She was not overly beautiful or clever. She was not particularly pios either. But to wonder at the logic of the gods is a useless act. their reasonings are their own and we the dying ones are not privy to their thoughts.

My mother, in naught but a loose robe, her dard long hair flowing wildly in the harsh breeze of the mid-night, waded through the ankle deep waters seperating the island and mainland, her hands clutching the thin white linen tightly, her nose full of salty air. I could see her in my mind's eye. She got to the island at Athene's behest and who did she find waiting for her but Poseidon who takes her and possesses her without any regret.

I understand now, my mother's disgusted looks, those moments when she is deep in thought and flinches away at a far off sound. In one night, she was sold to one man and raped by a god. Though she raised me with love, I am a reminder of those hateful acts. The mystery of my mother's darker moments is solved, but I've another handed to me to ponder. Am I the son of a king or of a god?

My mother is right, also, that I am a man now. In my heart I know the answerof my paternity lies in my journey to take my place next to my father. I sense this journey will be a test of my character and resolve. But as surely as I know what I must face, I know the gods have a plan for me and they will not be thwarted! I must sleep now. I am to travel with my mother to retrieve the material birthrights Aigeus left for me. I will take the symbols of my parentage and use them to prove my worthiness to be King of Athens.

Theseus Diary- 16

16th year
Tonight my grandfather, Pittheus, recounted a story of my youth, that had my mother crying. This was a good thing. I'd entered the hall with my men. I dragged behind me a mangled lion carcass and my grandfather laughed.
"It's in your blood, boy!" the old man said. I could barely respond before my mother cried out, her voice ringing through the hall. Her hasty footsteps skitted through the openness as she retired to her solar. Women are such possessed creatures; always crying or screaming and fainting away. She annoys me, or did until she gave me her story- But I was writing of Pittheus's story, wasn't I?

Said he, "When you were a boy, Theseus, Herakles visited us. You know him boy?" My grandfather pulled on his beard with such importance. I approached the tale and sat bespelled. Blessed are the gods. I must have known a secret was being revealed to me.

Said my grandfather, "Yes, the son of Zeus visited my house Theseus. Of Course, you and the other children were at play, so I did not call you in. You would not have known the man anyway. But he graced this very table. He took from his person, his lion's cloak and threw the heavy skins over a chair where it flowed to the floor. He sat and we talked much about his travels. Zeus much blessed our house. Then you and the other boys came running in and took one look at the table. I imagine it must have seemed as if a ferocious lion lay upon this solid wood, for the whole group of you high-tailed it out. All but you went into hiding. You, my little prince Theseus, ran over to one of my warriors and demanded the befuddled man's ax. 'What for, young prince?' To which you replied, 'I am going to kill my first lion. It is attaching the King in the hall. Give me the ax!' I don't think this hall has rung with so much laughter since. But that day, boy, I knew you were destined for greatness. A lone child of seven would take an ax to the cloak of the son of Zeus to prove himself and to save the hide of an old man. Even the great Herakles recognized your greatness. 'He shall bring this land together'.

"Yes it was a day of revelation for all except your mother." My grandfather's line of vision strayed to the large wood double door that had swung shut behind my mother. Aithra had her own story. I shall write of that story later. My scroll is heavy as are my eyes and I've to begin my journey tomorrow...my journey to my father, Aigeus