Here he was saluted by some of the Phytalidae, a sacred family descended from Phytalus, the beloved of Ceres, and was duly purified from the blood of the savages he had slain.

Athens was the first place at which he was hospitably entertained.

He arrived at an opportune moment; the Colchian Medea, of evil and magic fame, had fled from Corinth and taken refuge with Aegeus, whose affections she had insnared.

By her art she promised him children to supply his failing line, and she gave full trial to the experiment by establishing herself the partner of the royal couch.
But it was not likely that the numerous sons of Pallas would regard this connexion with indifference, and faction and feud reigned throughout the city.

Medea discovered the secret of the birth of Theseus; and, resolved by poison to rid herself of one who would naturally interfere with her designs on Aegeus, she took advantage of the fear and jealousies of the old king, and persuaded him to become her accomplice in the premeditated crime.