Page 21 - Resources

After much thought the president of the council spoke, “Go on our behalf, Nicias.

Fetch this Epimenides. If he will hear your plea and he can deliver our city, we will
reward him.” The rest of the council agreed. Nicias stood, bowed and left the
chamber. Descending Mars Hill he headed for the harbour where a ship stood at
anchor.

Epimenides stepped briskly ashore followed by Nicias. The two men set out at once
for Athens. As they entered the city, signs of the plague were everywhere, but
Epimenides noticed something else. “Never have I seen so many gods!” he exclaimed.
Statues of idols lined both sides of the road and hundreds decorated the rocky

escarpment called the Acropolis, where a later generation would build the Parthenon.

“How many gods does Athens have?” Epimenides asked. “Several hundred at least!”
replied Nicias. “Several hundred!” echoed Epimenides. “Gods must be easier to find
here than men!”

“That is true,” Nicias laughed. “Yet the oracle declares that we have another god to
appease and that you, Epimenides, are to show us that god. Apparently, we Athenians

still need another god, despite the fact that we have collected every god we could
carry back here by cart or by ship!”

“Perhaps that is your problem,” said Epimenides mysteriously. Nicias did not have
time to find out what that remark meant as by this time they had reached the council

chamber and the elders sat waiting.

“Epimenides, we are grateful for your….” Began the president, but Epimenides
interrupted him.

“Learned elders of Athens, there is no need to thank me. Tomorrow at sunrise bring a
flock of sheep, a band of stonemasons, a large supply of stones and mortar to the
grassy slope at the foot of the hill. The sheep must all be healthy and of different
colours – some white and some black. You must prevent them from grazing after their

night’s rest. They must be hungry sheep. I will rest now from my journey. Call me at
dawn.”

Members of the council exchanged puzzled glances at these words but Epimenides
walked to a quiet alcove, pulled his cloak around him for a blanket and settled down
for the night.

(Greek Grandeur, Hebrew Heart) 19