any PLUTARCH'S LIVES. of showing him his estato from thence, and pushed him over a precipice. Some say that he stumbled and fell of himself, as he was walking after supper, according to his custom. As soon as he was dead, no ono thought more of him, but Mnestheus reigned over tho Athenians, while Theseus's children were brought up as private citizens by Elephenor, and followed him to İlium. When Mnestheus died at Ilium, they returned home and resumed their rightful sovereignty. In subsequent times, among many other things which led tho Athenians to honour Theseus as a hero or demi-god, most remarkable was his appearance at the battle of Marathon, where his spirit was seen by many, clad in armour, leading the charge against tho barbarians. XXXVI. After the Persian war, in the archonship of Phaedo, the Athenians were told by the Delphian Oraclo to take home the bones of Theseus and keep them with the greatest care and honour. There was great difficulty in obtaining them and in discovering his tomb, on account of the wild and savago habits of the natives of the island. However, Kimon took the island, as is written in my history of his Life, and making it a point of honour to discover his tomb, he chanced to behold an caglo pecking with its beak and scratching with its talons at a small rising ground. Here he dug, imagining that the spot had been pointed out by a miracle. Thero was found the coffin lance-head and a sword. Theso relics wero brought to Athens by Kimon, on board of his triremo, and the delighted Athenians received them with splendid processions and sacrifices, just as if the hero himself were como to the He is buried in the midst of the city, near where the Gymnasium now stands, and his tomb is a place of because Theseus, during his life, was the champion and avenger of the poor, and always kindly hearkened to their placo on the eighth of tho month of Pyanopsion, upon besides this they hold a service in his honour on the eighth which day ho and the youths came back from Crete. But of all Their greatest sacrifice in his honour takes the other months, either because it was on the eighth day of IIckatombeion that he first arrived in Athens from Troczen, as is related by Diodorus the topographer, or else thinking that number to be especially his own, because he is said to have been the son of Poseidon, and Poseidon is honoured on the cighth day of every month. For the number eight is the first cubo of an even number, and is double the first square, and therefore peculiarly represents the immovable abiding power of that god whom we address as "the steadfast," and the "earth upholder." PLUTARCH'S LIVES. LIFE OF ROMULUS. HISTORIANS are not agreed upon the origin and meaning of the famous name of Rome, which is so celebrated through all the world. Some relate that the Pelasgi, after wandoring over the greater part of the world, and conquering most nations, settled there, and gave the city its name from their own strength in battle. Others tell us that after the capture of Troy some fugitives obtained ships, were carried by the winds to the Tyrrhenian or Tuscan coast, and cast anchor in the Tiber. There the women, who had suffered much from the sea voyage, were advised by One who was accounted chief among them for wisdom and noble birth, Roma by name, to burn the ships. At first tho men were angry at this, but afterwards, being compelled to settle round about the Palatino Hill, they fared better than they expected, as they found the country fertilo and the neighbours hospitable; so they paid great honour to Roma, and called the city after her name. From this circumstance, they say, arose the present habit of women kissing their male relatives and connections; becauso those embraced and caressed the men, trying to pacify their women, after they had burned the ships, thus rage. II. Some say that Roma, who gave the name to the city, Telephus the son of Iercules, and the wife of Encas, Was tho daughter of Italus and Leucaria, or of while Others say that she was the daughter of Ascanius the son of Encas. Romus, the son of Hemathion, who was sent from Troy by of Odysseus and Circe, founded the city, or that it was Diomedes; or Romis the despot of the Latins, who drove • The Greck swμn=strength. out of his kingdom tho Tyrrhenians, who, starting from Thessaly, had made their way to Lydia, and thenco to Italy. And even those who follow the most reasonable of these legends, and admit that it was Romulus who founded the city after his own name, do not agree about his birth; for some say that he was the son of Encas and Dexithea the daughter of Phorbas, and with his brother Romus was brought to Italy when a child, and that as the river was in flood, all the other boats were swamped, but that in which tho children were was carried to a soft bank and miraculously preserved, from which tho name of Rome was given to the place. Others say that Roma, the daughter of that Trojan lady, married Latinus tho son of Telemachus and boro a son, Romulus; while others say that his mother was Emilia the daughter of Eneas and Lavinia, by an intrigue with Mars; while others give a completely legendary account of his birth, as follows: In the house of Tarchetius, the king of the Albani, a cruel and lawless man, a miracle took place. A malo figure arose from the hearth, and remained there for many days. Now thero was in Etruria an oracle of Tethys, which told Tarchetius that a virgin must be offered to the figure; for thero should be born of her a son surpassing all mankind in strength, valour, and good fortune. Tarchetius hereupon explained the oracle to one of his daughters, and ordered her to give herself up to the figuro; but sho, not liking to do so, sent her servant-maid instead. Tarchetius, when he learned this, was greatly incensed, and cast them both into prison, meaning to put them to death. However, in a dream, Vesta appeared to him, forbidding him to slay In consequence of this ho locked them up with a loom, telling them that when they had woven tho picco of work upon it they should be married. So they wove all day, and during the night other maidens sent by Tarchotius undid their work again. Now when the servant-maid was delivered of twins, Tarchotius gave them to one Teratius, and bado him destroy them. laid them down near the river; and there they were suckled by a she-wolf, while all sorts of birds brought them morsels of food, until one day a cowherd saw them. Filled with wonder he ventured to come up to the children them. По and bear them off. Saved from death in this manner they grew up, and then attacked and slow Tarchotius. This is the legend given by one Promathion, the compiler of history of Italy. III. But the most credible story, and that has most Vouchers for its truth, is that which was first published in Greece by Diokles of Peparethos, a writer whom Fabius Pictor has followed in most points. There are variations in this legend also; but, genorally speaking, it runs as follows: power. The dynasty established by Encas at Alba Longa, came down to two brothers, Numitor and Amulius. Amulius offered his brother the choice between the Overeign power and the royal treasure, including tho gold brought from Troy. Numitor choso the sovereign But Amulius, possessing all the treasure, and thereby having more power than his brother, casily dethroned him, and, as ho feared his brother's daughter might have children who would avenge him, he made her A priestess of Vesta, sworn to celibacy for ever. This lady is named by some Ilia, by others Rhea or Silvia. After no long time she was found to be with child, against the law of the Vestals. Her life was saved by the entreaties of Antho, the king's daughter, but she was closely imprisoned, that she might not be delivered without Amulius's knowledge. She bore two children of remarkable beauty and size, and Amulius, all the more alarmed at this, bade an attendant take them and expose them. Some say that this man's name was Faustulus, while others say that this was not his name, but that of their rescuer. However, he placed the infants in a cradle, and went down to the river with the intention of throwing them into it, but seeing it running strong and turbulently, he feared to approach it, laid down the cradle near the bank and went away. The river, which was in flood, rose, and gently floated off the cradle, and carried it down to a soft place which is now called Cermalus, but anciently, it seems, was called Germanus, becauso brothers are called germani. IV. Near this place was a fig-tree, which they called Ruminalius, either from Romulus, as most persons imagine, or |