22.2
The messenger found many of the people bewailing the death of their king, and others full of joy at his tidings, as was natural, and eager to welcome him and crown him with garlands for his good news. The garlands, then, he accepted, and twined them about his herald’s staff and on returning to the sea-shore, finding that Theseus had not yet made his libations to the gods, remained outside the sacred precincts, not wishing to disturb the sacrifice.
22.3
But when the libations were made, he announced the death of Aegeus. Thereupon, with tumultuous lamentation, they went up in haste to the city. Whence it is, they say, that to this day, at the festival of the Oschophoria,A vintage festival, during which branches of the vine with grapes upon them (ὄσχοι) were borne in procession from Athens to Phalerum. See Plut. Thes. 23.2. it is not the herald that is crowned, but his herald’s staff, and those who are present at the libations cry out: Eleleu! Iou! Iou! the first of which cries is the exclamation of eager haste and triumph, the second of consternation and confusion.
22.4
After burying his father, Theseus paid his vows to Apollo on the seventh day of the month Pyanepsion; for on that day they had come back to the city in safety. Now the custom of boiling all sorts of pulse on that day is said to have arisen from the fact that the youths who were brought safely back by Theseus put what was left of their provisions into one mess, boiled it in one common pot, feasted upon it, and ate it all up together.
