THE ATHENIAN and THE THEBAN
by Aesop · from Aesop's Fables; a new translation
Adapted Version
Two friends walk on a road. They talk about heroes. The Clever Traveler walks and talks. The Strong Traveler walks and talks too. They are on a long road. The sun shines. They walk for a long time. They have much to say. They like to talk a lot. They talk about many things.
They start to talk about heroes. "My hero is the best!" says one. "No, my hero is best!" says the other. They talk loudly. They want to show their hero is best. They are very proud. Each traveler has a hero. Each hero is from his own town. They love their heroes very much.
The Strong Traveler talks about Hercules. "Hercules is so strong!" he says. "He is the strongest hero." Hercules did great things. Hercules has big muscles. He fought many monsters. He was very brave. He is a true hero. He is like a god now. He lives with the gods. "Hercules is the best hero," he says. "No one is stronger than Hercules."
The Clever Traveler talks about Theseus. "Theseus is better," he says. "Theseus is very lucky. He always had good fortune." He did not work. He did not do hard jobs. Theseus was very clever. He used his mind. He found good ways to win. He did not need to be a servant. Hercules did hard jobs for others. Hercules was a servant sometimes. "Theseus is much better," he says. "He was always free."
The Clever Traveler is good with words. He talks and talks and talks. He says many clever things. He smiles a big smile. He feels very smart. The Strong Traveler cannot talk like him. He stops talking. The Strong Traveler is quiet now. The Clever Traveler wins the talk. He is happy.
The Strong Traveler is a little sad. "Okay, you win," he says. He makes a wish then. "I wish Hercules is upset with your town." He looks. "I wish Theseus is upset with my town." He thinks. He thinks about power. He thinks about kindness. Hercules is very, very strong. He can be very scary. A strong hero can cause trouble. But Theseus is not so scary. A kind hero brings peace. This is what he thinks. A kind hero is good. A strong hero can be mean.
Original Story
THE ATHENIAN AND THE THEBAN
An Athenian and a Theban were on the road together, and passed the time in conversation, as is the way of travellers. After discussing a variety of subjects they began to talk about heroes, a topic that tends to be more fertile than edifying. Each of them was lavish in his praises of the heroes of his own city, until eventually the Theban asserted that Hercules was the greatest hero who had ever lived on earth, and now occupied a foremost place among the gods; while the Athenian insisted that Theseus was far superior, for his fortune had been in every way supremely blessed, whereas Hercules had at one time been forced to act as a servant. And he gained his point, for he was a very glib fellow, like all Athenians; so that the Theban, who was no match for him in talking, cried at last in some disgust, "All right, have your way; I only hope that, when our heroes are angry with us, Athens may suffer from the anger of Hercules, and Thebes only from that of Theseus."
Story DNA
Moral
It is better to have a hero who is less powerful but benevolent than one who is mighty but potentially destructive.
Plot Summary
Two travelers, an Athenian and a Theban, debate the superiority of their city's heroes. The Athenian, being glib, argues that Theseus is superior to Hercules due to his blessed fortune, despite Hercules's greater power. After being out-argued, the Theban concedes but makes a pointed wish: that Athens suffer the anger of Hercules, and Thebes only the anger of Theseus, subtly implying that the Athenian's 'victory' might lead to a more dangerous outcome.
Themes
Emotional Arc
disagreement to grudging acceptance
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's fables often reflect common Greek stereotypes and moral philosophies, using animal or human characters to illustrate a point.
Plot Beats (6)
- An Athenian and a Theban are traveling together and conversing.
- They begin discussing heroes, specifically those from their own cities.
- The Theban extols Hercules as the greatest hero and a god.
- The Athenian counters by praising Theseus as superior due to his blessed fortune, contrasting him with Hercules' past servitude.
- The Athenian, being a skilled debater, wins the argument.
- The Theban, frustrated, concedes the point but expresses a wish that Athens suffer Hercules' anger and Thebes only Theseus's anger, implying the Athenian's victory might be a curse.
Characters
★
The Athenian
A man of average height and lean build, typical of an ancient Greek citizen, with an agile and expressive demeanor. His movements are quick and confident, reflecting his sharp mind.
Attire: He wears a simple but well-maintained chiton, likely made of fine linen in a natural off-white or light earth tone, draped elegantly and fastened at the shoulders with fibulae. Over this, he might wear a himation, a rectangular cloak of wool, perhaps in a muted blue or terracotta, draped over one shoulder and wrapped around his body, suitable for travel.
Wants: To prove the superiority of his city's heroes and, by extension, his own intellectual prowess and the glory of Athens.
Flaw: Overconfidence in his rhetorical skills, potentially leading him to dismiss others' perspectives too readily.
He remains unchanged, successfully asserting his viewpoint through argument, reinforcing his belief in his own and Athens's superiority.
Glib, articulate, persuasive, proud, competitive.
◆
The Theban
A man of sturdy build, perhaps slightly more robust than the Athenian, reflecting the more martial reputation of Thebes. His movements are less fluid, more grounded.
Attire: He wears a practical, sturdy chiton, likely made of wool in a darker, more earthy tone like brown or dark grey, suitable for travel and less concerned with elaborate draping. He might also wear a simple, heavy wool himation for warmth and protection, perhaps in a deep red or dark green, draped functionally.
Wants: To defend the honor of his city's heroes, particularly Hercules, and assert Thebes's greatness.
Flaw: Lack of rhetorical skill, making him easily outmaneuvered in verbal arguments.
He becomes frustrated and ultimately concedes the argument verbally, but expresses his true feelings and hopes through a curse, showing his enduring loyalty and a practical, if somewhat superstitious, approach to justice.
Proud, direct, less articulate, easily frustrated, loyal to his city's heroes, somewhat blunt.
Locations
The Road Between Cities
A dusty, well-trodden ancient Greek road, likely unpaved, connecting Athens and Thebes. It would be flanked by sparse Mediterranean vegetation, possibly olive groves or low scrub, with distant views of rolling hills.
Mood: Open, conversational, slightly competitive.
The Athenian and Theban travel together, engaging in a lengthy debate about their respective city's heroes.