The journey from Athens to Delphi had been long and dangerous. The roads teemed with thieves and cut-throats. No-one seemed able to do anything about it. The passes through the mountains were particularly notorious. People normally travelled in large groups for protection. But, although Ægeus travelled alone, he had not been attacked. Maybe the fact that he looked like a warrior had put off the would-be robbers or maybe Ægeus had the protection of one of the gods.
As he approached the sacred oracle of Apollo he marvelled at the splendour of the buildings. The brilliance of the white-hot sun shining over the beauty of the Parnassus Mountains reflected their magnificence. Ægeus stopped to admire this wondrous sight.
‘Maybe one day Athens will look as beautiful. If only I had a son…’
He no
