Theseus in Athens

Now he was near Athens. He passed Elefsina, climbed the small mountain we call today Dafni and then went downhill to the plain of Athens. He once reached the outer Keramikos and then entered the city through the big door.

Honours to the hero

His reputation for his accomplishments had come before him. So everyone welcomed him and the king himself invited him to eat. While they were eating, he wanted to cut the meat and drew a sword with his hand instead of a knife. Aegeus saw it, saw the sandals and began to ask him who he was and where he came from.

The identification

At the first words Theseus said to him, he knew what his son looked like. He stood up, hugged and kissed him, proud because he had such a son.

The Reception

And when the people heard that it was the king's son who had killed the robbers, they ran to see him, and to glorify the king's son.