The celebrated friendship between Theseus and Pirithous is said to
have been begun as follows: The fame of the strength and valor of
Theseus being spread through Greece, Pirithous was desirous to
make a trial and proof of it himself, and to this end seized a
herd of oxen which belonged to Theseus, and was driving them away
from Marathon, and, when news was brought that Theseus pursued him
in arms, he did not fly, but turned back and went to meet him. But
as soon as they had viewed one another, each so admired the
gracefulness and beauty, and was seized with such a respect for
the courage of the other, that they forgot all thoughts of
fighting; and Pirithous, first stretching out his hand to Theseus,
bade him be judge in this case himself, and promised to submit
willingly to any penalty he should impose. But Theseus not only
forgave him all, but entreated him to be his friend and brother in
arms; and they ratified their friendship by oaths. After this
Pirithous married Deidamia, and invited Theseus to the wedding,
entreating him to come and see his country, and make acquaintance
with the Lapithae; he had at the same time invited the Centaurs to
the feast, who, growing hot with wine and beginning to be insolent
and wild, the Lapithae took immediate revenge upon them, slaying
many of them upon the place, and afterwards, having overcome them
in battle, drove the whole race of them out of their country,
Theseus all along taking the part of the Lapithae, and fighting on
their side.

Theseus was now fifty years old, as Hellanicus states, when he
carried off Helen, who was yet too young to be married. Some
writers, to take away this accusation of one of the greatest
crimes laid to his charge, say that he did not steal away Helen