Chapter Theodosius to Thieves of Historic Note of T by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Theseus , the Attic hero. He induced the several towns of Attica to give up their separate governments and submit to a common jurisdiction, whereby the several petty chiefdoms were consolidated into one state, of which Athens was the capital.

Similarly, the several kingdoms of the Saxon heptarchy were consolidated into one kingdom by Egbert; but in this latter case, the might of arms, and not the power of conviction, was the instrument employed.

Theseus, duke of Athens. On his return ho me after marrying Hyp olita, a crowd of female suppliants complained to him of Creon king of Thebes. The duke therefore set out for Thebes, sl ew Creon, and took the city by assaul t. Among the captives taken in this siege were two knights, named Palamon and Arcite, who saw the duke’s sister from their dungeon window, and fell in love with her. When set at liberty, they told their loves to the duke, and Theseus promised to give the lady to the best man in a single combat. Arcite overthrew Palamon, but as he was about to claim the lady his horse threw him, and he died; so Palamon lost the contest, but won the bride.—Chaucer: Canterbury Tales (“The Knight’s Tale,” 1388). N.B.—In classic story, Theseus is called “king;” but Chaucer styles him “duke,” that is, dux, “leader or emperor” imperator.

Thespian Maids (The), the nine Muses. So called from Thespia in Bœotia, near mount Helicon, often called Thespia Rupes.

Those modest Thespian maids thus to their Isis sung.
   —Drayton: Polyolbion, xv. (1613).

Thespio, a Muse. The Muses were called Thespiadês, from Thespia, in Bœotia, at the foot of mount Helicon.

Tell me, oh, tell me then, thou holy Muse,
Sacred Thespio.
   —P. Fletcher: The Purple Island, vi. (1633).

Thespis, the father of the Greek drama.

Thespis, the first professor of our art,
At country wakes sang ballads from a cart.
   —Dryden: Prologue to Sophonisba (1729).

Thestylis, a female slave; any rustic maiden.—Theocritos: Idylls.

With Thestylis to bind the sheaves.
   —Milton: L’Allegro (1638).

Thetis, mother of Achillês. She was a sea-nymph, daughter of Nereus the sea-god.—Grecian Story.

Theuerdank, a sobriquet of kaiser Maximilian I. of Germany (1459, 1493–1519).

They will never cut off my head to make you King. So said Charles II. to his brother, the duke of York, who urged his brother Charles to be more discreet in his conduct. Of course, he alluded to the decapitation of his father.

Thiebalt, a Provençal, one of Arthur’s escorts to Aix.—Sir W. Scott: Anne of Geierstein (time, Edward IV.).

Thiers (Monsieur). His nicknames were “Attila le Petit,” “Tamerlan à lunettes,” “Caméléon,” “General Bonne,” and “Le roi de Versailleux.”

Thieves (The Two). The penitent thief crucified with Jesus has been called by sundry names, as Demas, Dismas, Titus, Matha, and Vicimus.

The impenitent thief has been called Gestas, Dumachas, Joca, and Justinus.

In the Apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus the former is called Dysmas and the latter Gestas. In the Story of Joseph of Arimathea the former is called Demas and the latter Gestas. (See Titus.)