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Generalities

The Pyanǽpsia (Pyanepsia, Πυανέψια) is an Athenian festival honoring the hero Thîséfs (Thêseus, Θησεύς) and his accomplishment in freeing the city from a monstrous tribute. It has become somewhat Panhellenic, as it is celebrated by modern people wherever Ællînismόs (Hellênismos, Ἑλληνισμός), the ancient Greek religion, is practiced.

The name of the festival is derived from the words πύανος “bean” + ἕψειν “to cook by boiling,” a reference to a thanksgiving meal that was offered to Apóllôn (Apollô, Ἀπόλλων) by the originators of the feast.

The Pyanǽpsia commemorates the ækthǽôsis (ectheôsis, ἐκθέωσις) or deification of Thîséfs, and by extension, the deification of all souls. It is also a great holiday of Apóllôn, who on this holiday gives us the eiræsióhnî (eiresiônê, εἰρεσιώνη), a protection for our families and homes. The holiday is observed on the seventh of the ancient Athenian month of Pyanæpsióhn (Pyanepsiôn, Πυανεψιών), usually falling in early October.

The essential background

The festival is based on a story of ancient Athens. We are following here the Βιβλιοθήκη Ἀπολλοδώρου.

Evróhpî (Eurôpa, Ευρώπη) was a daughter of the Phoenician king Ayínôr (Agenôr, Ἀγήνωρ). She was loved by Zefs (Ζεύς), who transformed himself into a bull and transported Evróhpî over the sea to the island of Krítî (Crêtê, Κρήτη). There he consorted with her, and she bore him three sons, Mínôs (Minôs, Μίνως), Sarpîdóhn (Sarpêdôn, Σαρπηδών), and Radámanthys (Ῥαδάμανθυς). After she settled in Krítî, Astǽrios (Asterius, Ἀστέριος), a prince of the island, married Evróhpî and adopted her children. The three sons, however, became enemies as they reached manhood and the result was war.

When Astǽrios died, leaving no children of his own, Mínôs was determined to rule Krítî. He had been living there with his wife Pasipháï (Pasiphaë, Πασιφάη), the daughter of Ílios (Hêlios the Sun, Ἥλιος). But his rule on Krítî was opposed by the other brothers. Mínôs declared that the Gods themselves gave him the kingdom, and as proof, he said that for whatever he prayed, it would be accomplished. So Mínôs sacrificed to Poseidóhn (Poseidôn, Ποσειδῶν) and prayed that a bull would rise from the sea; he promised that he would sacrifice this bull to the God. Poseidóhn honored the king's request and sent up a superb bull, but Mínôs so admired the animal that he hid it in his herds and sacrificed another in its stead.

Poseidóhn was now angry that Mínôs had broken his promise, so he made the bull wild and caused Pasipháï to develop an unnatural lust for the beast. Pasipháï then employed the great inventor Daidalos (Daedalus, Δαίδαλος) to devise a way to seduce the bull so that she could couple with it. Daidalos created a wooden cow on wheels in which Pasipháï hid inside. This decoy drew the bull to her, and thereby she bore a monstrous son, the Minóhtavros (Minôtaur, Μῑνώταυρος; etym. Μίνως + ταύρος “the bull of Mínôs”), a creature with the body of a man and the head of a bull, whom she named Astǽrios (as was named the husband of Evróhpî) Now that this plague had come to his land, Mínôs shut it up in a great labyrinth, another construction of Daidalos, in order to contain the monster. [1]

Aiyéfs and the curse of the Minóhtavros on the Athenians

During these same years, Pandíôn II (Pandiôn II, Πανδίων Β'), the king of Athens, was dwelling in Mǽgara (Megara, Μέγαρα) in exile, for his uncle Mîtíôn (Mêtiôn, Μητίων) had usurped the throne. But after he died, the sons of Pandíôn attacked Athens and regained the kingdom, with Aiyéfs (Aegeus, Αἰγεύς), one of the sons, as king. But Aiyéfs and his second wife were childless and in fear of his brothers, so he journeyed to Dælphí (Delphi, Δελφοί) to consult Apóllôn. The Pythía (Πυθία) gave Aiyéfs the following oracle:

"Do not loose the projecting mouth of the wine-skin until you reach the height of Athens."

Aiyéfs could not make sense of it. He decided to return to Athens by way of Trizín (Troezên, Τροιζήν). While in the city he lodged with Pitthéfs (Pittheus, Πιτθεύς), the son of Pǽlops (Pelops, Πέλοψ). Aiyéfs told him what the Pythía had said and Pitthéfs immediately understood the meaning of the oracle. Acting on this knowledge, he had Aiyéfs bed his daughter Aithra (Aethra, Αἴθρα). Having agreed to this, Aiyéfs made Aithra promise that if a male child should result from their union, she should raise the boy without revealing to him just who was his father. Aiyéfs now took a sword and sandals and placed them under a great rock. He told Aithra that when this boy had the strength to push the rock away and retrieve the sword and sandals, that she should send the lad to him.

Aiyéfs then returned to Athens and during the Panathínaia (Panathênaia, Παναθήναια), the great feast of Athîná (Athêna, Ἀθηνᾶ), Aiyéfs sent the son of Mínôs, Andróyæôs (Androgeus, Ἀνδρόγεως), against the bull of Marathóhn (Marathôn, Μαραθών), but the bull killed the young man. In anger at the death of his son, King Mínôs attacked Athens, captured Mǽgara, and prayed to Zefs to avenge him. A great famine and pestilence fell upon the Athenians and they inquired of the Oracle how they might be delivered. The God told the Athenians to go to Mínôs and give him whatever he asked. Mínôs agreed to this and required of the Athenians that every nine years, seven young men and seven virgins must be sent to Krítî to be placed in the labyrinth as prey for the Minóhtavros.

The birth of Thîséfs and the slaying of the six khthonic highwaymen

In the meanwhile, Aithra bore a son to Aiyéfs whom she named Thîséfs (Thêseus, Θησεύς). When he grew to manhood, Thîséfs pushed away the rock and retrieved the sword and sandals, for he had become a very strong youth. He now went in search of his father to Athens. On his way, Thîséfs had adventures, displaying great bravery by slaying the six khthonic highwaymen who plagued the localities he passed, thus taming the road. These trials of bravery and strength have been likened to the Labors of Îraklís (Hêraclês, Ἡρακλῆς) in Βιβλιοθήκη ἱστορικὴ Διοδώρου Σικελιώτου, where the author indicates that in his own lifetime, this was a commonly held belief. [2]

First: In Æpídavros (Epidaurus, Επίδαυρος) Thîséfs encountered Pæriphítîs (Periphêtês, Περιφήτης) the Korynítîs (Corynêtês, Κορυνήτης) or Clubman, for he was the son of Antíkleia (Anticlea, Ἀντίκλεια) and Íphaistos (Hêphaestus, Ἥφαιστος), and he carried an iron club by which he murdered those who passed by. Thîséfs wrested the club from Pæriphítîs and slew him.

Second: Thîséfs killed the Isthmian criminal Sínis (Σίνις), son of Polypímôn (Polypêmôn, Πολυπήμων) and Sylǽa (Sylea, Συλέα), known as the Pityokámptîs (Pityocamptês, Πιτυοκάμπτης) or Pine-bender, who forced passersby to bend pine trees, but not being strong enough to do so, they were flung to their deaths. Thîséfs made Sínis share their fate. [3]

Third: Thîséfs slew Phaiá (Phaea, Φαιά), the wild pig of Krommyóhn (Crommyôn, Κρομμυών), who was the offspring of Ǽkhidna (Echidna, Ἔχιδνα) and Typhóhn (Typhôn, Τυφῶν).

Fourth: On the rocks of Mǽgara (Megara, Μέγαρα) Thîséfs slew Skírôn (Scirôn, Σκίρων), son of Pǽlops (Pelops, Πέλοψ), who forced passersby to wash his feet, but as they did so, he kicked them into the sea where they were eaten by a gigantic turtle. Thîséfs grasped Skírôn by the feet and hurled him into the sea.

Fifth: Near Ælefsís (Eleusis, Ἐλευσίς) Thîséfs killed Kærkýôn (Cercyôn, Κερκύων), the son of Vrángkhos (Branchus, Βράγχος) and the nymph Aryiópî (Argiopê, Ἀργιόπη), who wrestled travelers to their death. Thîséfs took hold of him and hoisting him above his head, threw Kærkýôn to the ground and slew him.

Sixth: Thîséfs slew Damástîs (Damastês, Δαμάστης; also known as Προκρούστης or Πολυπήμων) who kept a resting-place for travelers in the plain of Ælefsís. Within his inn Damástîs kept two beds, a small bed and a big bed. Damástîs took the short people, nailed them to the long bed, and stretched them to fit it, but the tall people he placed on the small bed and cut off whatever hung beyond the end of the bed.

Thîséfs, the Bull of Marathóhn, and the Minóhtavros

Having accomplished these deeds, Thîséfs arrived in Athens. Aiyéfs had married Mídeia (Mêdeia, Μήδεια), who persuaded him to kill Thîséfs, not realizing he was his very own son. Aiyéfs first sent the youth to the bull of Marathóhn, but Thîséfs defeated it. Having failed in their aim, Mídeia and the king conspired to poison the lad, but just before Thîséfs drank the poison, he gave Aiyéfs the sword and sandals which Aiyéfs had hidden under the rock many years previous. When the king saw these things, he dashed the cup from the hand of Thîséfs and saved his life. Having uncovered Mídeia's treachery, Aiyéfs expelled her from the city.

Now the time arrived for the third tribute to King Mínôs. In hopes of slaying the Minóhtavros and ending the torment of the Athenians, Thîséfs offered to be one of the seven young men offered by the city as tribute. With the help of Ariádnî (Ariadnê, Αριάδνη), the daughter of King Mínôs, and Daidalos, the creator of the labyrinth, Thîséfs entered the maze, laying a string behind him to find his way out. He then slew the beast and escaped the island with Ariádnî.

The slaying of the Bull of Marathóhn and the Minóhtavros completes the eight Labors of Thiséfs, the other six being the killing of the six khthonic highwaymen on his journey to Athens. [4]

It had been arranged that if Thîséfs survived and killed the Minóhtavros, they were to raise white sails on the returning ship as a sign, but Thîséfs forgot and absent-mindedly left black sails in place on the ship. Seeing this, his father, King Aiyéfs, killed himself, assuming that Thîséfs was dead. For this reason, that body of water is called the Aegean Sea after the king and retains that name to this very day. [5]

After the burial of Aiyéfs, Thîséfs paid homage to Apóllôn on the seventh day of Pyanæpsióhn [6] for the safe return of his entourage and his great victory over the Minóhtavros. The men made a dish of pýanos (pyanus, πύανος), broad beans or fava beans, and vegetables, the only provisions remaining from their journey, cooked in a common pot (χύτρος or χύτρα, an earthen pot), from which they ate a thanksgiving meal, offering some to the God. [7] The men also carried the eiræsióhnî (eiresiônê, Εἰρεσιώνη) in procession "to signify that scarcity and barrenness was ceased..." [8] It is this thanksgiving meal and the carrying of the eiræsióhnî that we recall in our practice of the Pyanǽpsia. And we ponder and celebrate the great arætí (aretê, ἀρετή) of Thîséfs and all the mighty heroes who achieve ækthǽohsis.

The meaning of the eiræsióhnî

There is mystical meaning to the journey of Thîséfs to Krítî. The Minóhtavros represents the power of nous (νοῦς), the mind of Zefs (Ζεύς). [9] Thîséfs conquered the powers of nous and achieved deification. The Minóhtavros is represented in the feast by the eiræsióhnî, a branch of olive. If you do not have an olive-tree available, use a branch of oak (sacred to Zefs), a branch of bay-laurel (sacred to Apóllôn and all the Gods), or a branch of any tree (representative of the Vehicle of the Soul); all are appropriate. The eiræsióhnî represents the cortex (the outer shell) of the soul. It is nous, the mind of Zefs, wisdom itself, symbolic of the enlightened mind.

The word eiræsióhnî suggests two possible derivations. It may be from the verb ἐρῶ “I ask” or “I say” indicating a supplication to Apóllôn. It may also derive from a word meaning “wool” (ἔριον), as the eiræsióhnî should be decorated with pieces of wool, deep red or purple (πορφύρα) and white. The red wool symbolizes the kosmogonic fire; the white symbolizes the upper levels of deification. White is also the color associated with Apóllôn, who is the chief God of deification and the guardian of the Mystíria (Mysteries, Μυστήρια). In addition to pieces of wool, you may decorate the eiræsióhnî with figs, cookies, small bags of beans, honeycombs, tiny jars of honey or olive oil or wine, and candy. If you cut a large eiræsióhnî, you may mount it vertically and keep it for a couple weeks in a place of honor in your home, after which you would mount it above the entry-door of your home as a protection. In times of great trouble, leaves of the eiræsióhnî may be burnt as an offering to the God. The eiræsióhnî remains above the door for a year, until the next Pyanǽpsia, where it may burned on a fire or placed outside where you make offerings, and replaced with the new eiræsióhnî.

"Eiresione bring figs, and Eiresione bring loaves;

Bring us honey in pints, and oil to rub on our bodies,

And a strong flagon of wine, for all to go mellow to bed on." [10]

There are some who believe the ceremony of the eiræsióhnî is in memory of the Irakleidai (Heracleidae, Ἡρακλεῖδαι), the descendents of Îraklís (Hêraklês, Ἡρακλῆς) who were honored with the eiræsióhnî. [11] Although it is associated with the city of Athens and the Pyanǽpsia, there is evidence that other festivals used the eiræsióhnî in various places throughout ancient Greece.

Pyanǽpsia Hearty Bean Stew

In remembrance of the pýanos stew made by Thîséfs and his crew, it is traditional to make a bean stew for Pyanǽpsia. If you are pressed for time, get a can of lentil soup and add some other beans to it. If, however, you are able, here follows a recipe used by the author.

This recipe includes chick-peas. They have a texture something like cooked peanuts. If you do not care for that, substitute a softer bean or simply eliminate them. For garum use Asian or Italian fish sauce, or eliminate it altogether and adjust the salt. This recipe makes enough for about four people, with the addition of some other dishes. A small portion of the bean-soup is given as an offering to the Gods; the rest is eaten by the participants.

Fill a 2-cup measure with 1/3 each lentils, white chick-peas, and fava beans (or similar). Cover with water overnight and rinse thoroughly. Put all this in a large pot and add water to about an inch above the beans. Bring to a boil and then lower the flame to a simmer.

In the meanwhile, sauté two onions until caramelized somewhat. Add these to the beans.

Add a few carrots cut into pieces.

Add two fresh cloves of minced garlic.

Add about a half-cup chopped parsley.

Add some oregano and rosemary, salt, and black pepper.

Add 1 teaspoon garum (see above), no more. (optional)

Add a teaspoon each of dried shallot and dried parsnips. (optional)

Add about a ½ cup of good olive oil.

Add about three bay leaves.

Simmer an hour or two; adjust salt and other spices.

PLEASE NOTE: Ritual in our tradition is not permitted to be displayed in a public place, such as this website. If you have a sincere desire to learn more, please write: Inquire.HellenicGods@gmail.com.

Festivals of Apóllôn:

KÁRNEIA-ΚΑΡΝΕΙΑ

PYANǼPSIA-ΠΥΑΝΕΨΙΑ

THARGÍLIA-ΘΑΡΓHΛΙΑ

NOTES:

[1] All this story, from the love of Zefs for Evróhpi to the confinement of the Minóhtavros in the labyrinth, can be found in Βιβλιοθήκη Ἀπολλοδώρου 3.1.1-4 (J.G. Frazer's numbering) or Book 3.1-11 (R. Scott Smith and Stephen M. Trzaskoma numbering).

[2] Βιβλιοθήκη ἱστορικὴ Διοδώρου Σικελιώτου 4.59.

[3] All this story, from the exile of Pandíôn II to the coming-to-age of Thîséfs, can be found in Βιβλιοθήκη Ἀπολλοδώρου 3.15.5 – 3.16.2 (J.G. Frazer's numbering) or Book 3.206-218 (R. Scott Smith and Stephen M. Trzaskoma numbering).

[4] This according to Gaius Julius Hyginus Fabulae 38.

[5] All this story, from the slaying of the highwayman Phaiá to the death of Aiyéfs, can be found in Βιβλιοθήκη Ἀπολλοδώρου, Epitome 1.1-10. (both J.G. Frazer's and R. Scott Smith/Stephen M. Trzaskoma's numbering).

From Ploutarkhos (Plutarch, Πλούταρχος), we have a similar description of the events described by Apollódôros:

“Androgeus (Ἀνδρόγεως) having been treacherously murdered in the confines of Attica, not only Minos, his father, put the Athenians to extreme distress by a perpetual war, but the Gods also laid waste their country; both famine and pestilence lay heavy upon them, and even their rivers were dried up. Being told by the oracle that, if they appeased and reconciled Minos, the anger of the Gods would cease and they should enjoy rest from the miseries they laboured under, they sent heralds, and with much supplication were at least reconciled, entering into an agreement to send to Crete (Κρήτη) every nine years a tribute of seven young men and as many virgins, as most writers agree in stating; and the most poetical story adds, that the Minotaur destroyed them, or that, wandering in the labyrinth, and finding no possible means of getting out, they miserably ended their lives there; and that this Minotaur was (as Euripides hath it)—

‘A mingled form where two strange shapes combined,

And different natures, bull and man, were joined.’ ”

(Βίοι Παράλληλοι Πλουτάρχου· Θησέως 15, trans. John Dryden, 1683.)

And from the writings of Pafsanías (Pausanias, Παυσανίας):

"The land of the Cretans and especially that by the river Tethris was ravaged by a bull. It would seem that in the days of old the beasts were much more formidable to men, for example the Nemean lion, the lion of Parnassus (Παρνασσός), the serpents in many parts of Greece, and the boars of Calydon (Καλυδών), Erymanthus (Ερύμανθος) and Crommyon in the land of Corinth, so that it was said that some were sent up by the earth, that others were sacred to the Gods, while others had been let loose to punish mankind. And so the Cretans say that this bull was sent by Poseidon to their land because, although Minos was lord of the Greek Sea, he did not worship Poseidon more than any other God. They say that this bull crossed from Crete to the Peloponnesus, and came to be one of what are called the Twelve Labours of Heracles. When he was let loose on the Argive plain he fled through the Isthmus of Corinth, into the land of Attica as far as the Attic parish of Marathon, killing all he met, including Androgeos, son of Minos. Minos sailed against Athens with a fleet, not believing that the Athenians were innocent of the death of Androgeos, and sorely harassed them until it was agreed that he should take seven maidens and seven boys for the Minotaur that was said to dwell in the Labyrinth at Cnossus. But the bull at Marathon Theseus is said to have driven afterwards to the Acropolis and to have sacrificed to the Goddess; the offering commemorating this deed was dedicated by the parish of Marathon." (Ἑλλάδος Περιήγησις Παυσανίου, Book 1 Αττική: 27.9, trans. W.H.S. Jones, 1918.)

And again Ploutarkhos:

"Now, when the time of the third tribute was come, and the fathers who had any young men for their sons were to proceed by lot to the choice of those that were to be sent, there arose fresh discontents and accusations against Ægeus among the people, who were full of grief and indignation that he who was the cause of all their miseries was the only person exempt from the punishment; adopting and settling his kingdom upon a bastard and foreign son (Thîséfs), he took no thought, they said, of their destitution and loss, not of bastards, but lawful children. These things sensibly affected Theseus, who, thinking it but just not to disregard, but rather partake of, the sufferings of his fellow-citizens, offered himself for one without and lot." (Βίοι Παράλληλοι Πλουτάρχου· Θησέως 17, trans. John Dryden, 1683.)

"When he arrived at Crete, as most of the ancient historians as well as poets tell us, having a clue of thread given him by Ariadne, who had fallen in love with him, and being instructed by her how to use it so as to conduct him through the windings of the labyrinth, he escaped out of it and slew the Minotaur, and sailed back,..." (Βίοι Παράλληλοι Πλουτάρχου· Θησέως 19.1, trans. John Dryden, 1683.)

"When they were come near the coast of Attica, so great was the joy for the happy success of their voyage, that neither Theseus himself nor the pilot remembered to hang out the sail which should have been the token of their safety to Ægeus, who, in despair at the sight, threw himself headlong from a rock, and perished in the sea." (Βίοι Παράλληλοι Πλουτάρχου· Θησέως 22, trans. John Dryden, 1683.)

And again Pafsanías:

"On the right of the gateway (to the Ακρόπολις of Athens) is a temple of Wingless Victory. From this point the sea is visible, and here it was that, according to legend, Aegeus threw himself down to his death. For the ship that carried the young people to Crete began her voyage with black sails; but Theseus, who was sailing on an adventure against the bull of Minos, as it is called, had told his father beforehand that he would use white sails if he should sail back victorious over the bull. But the loss of Ariadne made him forget the signal. Then Aegeus, when from this eminence he saw the vessel borne by black sails, thinking that his son was dead, threw himself down to destruction. There is at Athens a sanctuary dedicated to him, called the hero-shrine of Aegeus." (Ἑλλάδος Περιήγησις Παυσανίου, Book 1 Αττική: 22.4-5, trans. W.H.S. Jones, 1918.)

[6] "Theseus, after the funeral of this father, paid his vows to Apollo the seventh day of Pyanepsion; for on that day the youth that returned with him safe from Crete made their entry into the city." (Βίοι ΠαράλληλοιΠλουτάρχου· Θησέως 22.4, trans. John Dryden, 1683.)

[7] "They say, also, that the custom of boiling pulse at this feast is derived from hence; because the young men that escaped put all that was left of their provision together, and, boiling it in one common pot, feasted themselves with it, and ate it all up together." (Βίοι Παράλληλοι Πλουτάρχου· Θησέως 22.4, trans. John Dryden, 1683.)

[8] "Hence, also, they carry in procession an olive branch bound about with wool (such as they then made use of in their supplications), which they call eiresione, crowned with all sorts of fruits, to signify that scarcity and barrenness was ceased..." (Βίοι Παράλληλοι Πλουτάρχου· Θησέως 22.5, trans. John Dryden, 1683.)

Lewis Richard Farnell's opinion:

"And the Εἰρεσιώνη, which has been mentioned in connexion with the Thargelia, figures again and more prominently in the Pyanopsia: its magical use is set forth in the song of the boys which has been handed down by Pausanias and Plutarch:

'the eiriesione brings figs and rich loaves, a measure of honey and oil to mix, a cup of pure wine, that it may go mellow to bed.'

The wine is poured over the bough as a charm, and this method of sympathetic magic needs no comment. An interesting gloss in Hesychius preserves for us the fact that the Εἰρεσιώνη was called κορυθαλία, a word meaning 'the nurse of children,' whence it appears that this ritual, like the Thesmophoria, aimed at securing the growth of the family as well as the fertility of the fields, an extension of purpose which followed, perhaps, when the Εἰρεσιώνη was engrafted on the Apolline worship. For these agrarian rites with their vegetation-magic and cereal sacraments were certainly older in Attica than the coming of Apollo..." (The Cults of the Greek States by Lewis Richard Farnell, Vol. 4, 1907, p. 287.)

[9] Pasipháï, whose name means “wide-shining” and who is the daughter of Ílios (Hêlios, Ἥλιος), is the mother of the Minóhtavros, who is also called Ἀστερίων “full of stars.”

"In the market-place of Troezen is a temple of Artemis Saviour (Ἄρτεμις Σώτειρα) with images of the Goddess. It was said that the temple was founded and the name Saviour given by Theseus when he returned from Crete after overcoming Asterion the son of Minos." (Ἑλλάδος Περιήγησις Παυσανίου, Book 2 Ἀργολίς 31.1, trans. W.H.S. Jones, 1918.)

The bull represents the influence of Zefs. The Minóhtavros is represented in iconography as having a human body with the head of a bull. The Minóhtavros lives in the Labyrinth of Daidalos.

Ἰλιὰς Ὁμήρου 18.590 tells us that the God Íphaistos (Hephaestus, Ἥφαιστος) fashioned on the Armor of Akhilléfs (Achilles, Ἀχιλλεύς) a dancing floor like the one Daidalos made for Mínôs and danced on by Ariádnî (Ariadnê, Ἀριάδνη). Ariádnî is the daughter of Pasipháï (Pasiphaë) and the consort of Diónysos. She dances in the Labyrinth of Daidalos (Daedalus), the dwelling of the Minóhtavros (Minotaur).

Thiséfs “kills” the Minóhtavros, achieving deification.

“Asterius dying childless, Minos wished to reign over Crete, but his claim was opposed. So he alleged that he had received the kingdom from the Gods, and in proof of it he said that whatever he prayed for would be done. And in sacrificing to Poseidon he prayed that a bull might appear from the depths, promising to sacrifice it when it appeared. Poseidon did send him up a fine bull, and Minos obtained the kingdom, but he sent the bull to the herds and sacrificed another. Being the first to obtain the dominion of the sea, he extended his rule over almost all the islands. But angry at him for not sacrificing the bull, Poseidon made the animal savage, and contrived that Pasiphae should conceive a passion for it. In her love for the bull she found an accomplice in Daedalus, an architect, who had been banished from Athens for murder. He constructed a wooden cow on wheels, took it, hollowed it out in the inside, sewed it up in the hide of a cow which he had skinned, and set it in the meadow in which the bull used to graze. Then he introduced Pasiphae into it; and the bull came and coupled with it, as if it were a real cow. And she gave birth to Asterius, who was called the Minotaur. He had the face of a bull, but the rest of him was human; and Minos, in compliance with certain oracles, shut him up and guarded him in the Labyrinth. Now the Labyrinth which Daedalus constructed was a chamber ‘that with its tangled windings perplexed the outward way.’ “ (Βιβλιοθήκη Ἀπολλοδώρου 3.1.3-4, trans. J. G. Frazer, 1921.)

[10] Βίοι Παράλληλοι Πλουτάρχου· Θησέως 22.5.

[11] "Although some hold opinion that this ceremony is retained in memory of the Heraclidæ, who were thus entertained (with the eiræsióhnî) and brought up by the Athenians. But most are of the opinion which we have given above,( that the Athenians used the eiræsióhnî in honor of Thiséfs' destroying the Minóhtavros)." (Βίοι Παράλληλοι Πλουτάρχου· Θησέως 22.5, trans. John Dryden, 1683.) When Îraklís (Hêrakles, Ἡρακλῆς) died, his progeny fled from Evrysthéfs (Eurystheus, Εὐρυσθεύς), the tyrant of Tíryns (Τίρυνς), approaching Athens as suppliants bearing boughs of trees.

Lewis Richard Farnell states that the Pyanǽpsia was "a thanksgiving service and a consecration of the later fruits and cereals to the harvest-God." (The Cults of the Greek States by Lewis Richard Farnell, Vol. 4, 1907, p. 286.)

The story of the birth of the Gods: Orphic Theogony.

We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology.

Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology.

Introduction to the Thæí (the Gods): The Nature of the Gods.

How do we know there are Gods? Experiencing Gods.