Aesop's Fables, Part 209 summary
Part 209 of 284 · 1 min to read the part
In The Athenian and the Theban, two travelers praise their cities’ heroes, and the Athenian wins their dispute by arguing that Theseus enjoys better fortunes than Hercules. The Theban answers with a wish that Athens face Hercules’ anger and Thebes face Theseus’, shifting attention from verbal skill to the heroes’ power.
What happens
- Two travelers discuss several subjects before turning to heroes and praising those of their own cities.
- The Theban ranks Hercules highest among heroes and gives him a leading position among the gods.
- The Athenian favors Theseus, contrasting his good fortune with Hercules’ period of service.
- The Athenian wins through fluent speech, but the disgusted Theban wishes Hercules’ anger on Athens and Theseus’ anger on Thebes.
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What to notice
The wish challenges the Athenian’s victory by suggesting that Hercules is more dangerous to anger. It replaces a comparison of good fortune with a comparison of power.
Quick check
What reason does the Athenian give for ranking Theseus above Hercules?
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