The Adventures of Theseus

Before he was born, Theseus's father Aegeus returned to Athens. When he left, he covered his sandals and sword with a stone and told the boy's mother to lead him to the spot when he was ready. So well did the child mature that his mother took him to the rock at age 16. The boy moved the stone, took up his father's sword, placed his feet in his father's shoes then set off for Athens to claim his birthright

Theseus refused to travel to Athens safely by water. Instead, like his cousin Hercules, he traveled by land seeking adventure and good works along the way. Many bandits robbed the people along the road to Athens. Procustes and Sinis were two. Procustes took in travelers under the guise of hospitality. If they were too long for his bed he cut off their heads and if they were too short for his bed he stretched them to death. Theseus gave Procustes a dose of his own medicine and rid the highway of a terrible criminal.

Sinis the Pine-bender robbed then killed travelers by tying them to two pine trees bent to the ground then releasing the trees. The victims were torn limb from limb. Theseus gave Sinis a dose of his own medicine and rid the highway of an evil criminal.

All other bandits along the road were dealt with according to Theseus's motto: Similia similibus curantur, like cures like. Tit for tat was his ready verdict. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand and foot for foot were the rules of the road made by Theseus. All highwaymen along the road to Athens came to dread hearing his famous greeting: Par pari refero, I return like for like. By the time he reached Athens, Theseus was known as a great hero who rid the roadway of crime and made the roads safe for people.