Page:The Mythology of All Races Vol 1 (Greek and Roman).djvu/210

68 Prokne and Philomele, and of two sons, Boutes and Erechtheus, who divided the royal duties between them on their father's death, the first taking the joint priesthood of Athene and Poseidon, the second the administration of the government. Boutes became the founder of a priestly family which continued down to historical times. Erechtheus was really a double of Erichthonios, as is indicated by his name, which is only an abbreviated form of Erichthonios, and thus, after a fashion, Erechtheus also was a ward of Athene. It was said that he had snake-like feet and that to hide them as he went about among his people he invented the chariot and thus avoided walking, although in some sources he is described as entirely of human form. As secular leader of the Athenians he conducted an expedition against the people of Eleusis, and in accordance with the behest of an oracle he sacrificed his youngest daughter to bring victory to the Athenian arms. His success was indeed tragic, for though he slew Eumolpos, the commander of the Eleusinians, his other daughters took their own lives on learning of the offering of their sister, and he himself was killed by Poseidon, the father of Eumolpos. Of his daughters Kreousa, Prokris, and Oreithyia became famous names in Attic myth. He was followed in order by a son and a grandson, Kekrops and Pandion, the second of whom was dispossessed of his throne by his usurping cousins, the sons of Metion. Taking refuge in Megara, he there brought up a family of four valiant sons, Aigeus, Pallas, Nisos, and Lykos. These, to avenge their father's wrong, invaded Attike, evicted the usurpers, and partitioned the realm amongst themselves, allowing Aigeus, however, the chief authority. The legends of the marriages and the early reign of Aigeus belong more properly to the account of the life of his son Theseus.

The Sons of Pandion; The War with Minos.—After returning from a sojourn in Troizen, Aigeus celebrated the Panathenaïc festival. It happened that Androgeos, the son of Minos of Crete, was the victor in all the athletic contests, and as