Theseus
3 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Theseus. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
the'sus or the'se-us, in Greek legend, the national hero of Attica. He was a son of Aegeus, king of Athens, and Aethra, a princess of Troezen. Aegeus was obliged to leave Aethra before the birth of the child. He placed his sword and sandals beneath a large stone and charged Aethra that, when their son should be strong enough to roll the stone away, she should send him to his father. When the mother thought the time had come, she led Theseus to the stone which he moved without difficulty. The youth then chose that road to his father which he knew to be beset with the greatest difficulties. On the way he fought and slew a son of Hephaestus, who was in the habit of terrifying and attacking travelers. He also killed Procrustes, the "Stretcher." Procrustes had an iron bedstead to which he fitted every person whom he could persuade to lodge with him. If the guest was too short for the bed he was stretched; if he was too long, a piece was chopped off. Several other evildoers were met by Theseus and disposed of before he reached Athens. Medea, the sorceress, who had fled from her husband Jason to Athens, had now married Aegeus and, at once recognizing Theseus, she tried to poison him, but his father recognized the sword he carried and his life was saved. Theseus met with many adventures. The most notable was slaying the Minotaur. The Athenians were forced each year to send seven youths and seven maidens as tribute to Minos, king of Crete. These were devoured by the terrible Minotaur. Theseus offered himself as one of the victims and set off with the other thirteen in a ship with black sails. Theseus promised his father to return with white sails if he was successful. With the aid of Ariadne, daughter of Minos, he slew the Minotaur, saving his companions. Then taking Ariadne with him, he started to return to Athens. Directed by Minerva, Theseus left Ariadne asleep on the Island of Naxos and went on without her. Perhaps this little episode distracted his mind, for he forgot to change his sails. His father, seeing the ship returning with black sails, believed his son was slain and took his own life. Theseus now became king of Athens. One of the famous episodes of Theseus' career was a war with the Amazons. He carried off their queen and they pursued him into the very heart of the city where he finally overthrew them. This battle was a favorite subject with sculptors. After many adventures and exciting experiences, Theseus at last lost favor with his people and retired to Scyros, where he was slain. Theseus is a semi-historical character. It is supposed that he united the several tribes of Attica into one state, but it is impossible to separate fact from legend in an account of his life. See Minotaur ; Ariadne ; Pirithous ; Minos
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
in heroic history, a King of Athens, and the son of Ægeus by Æthra, the daughter of Pittheus, was educated at the house of his father-in-law at Trezen. On arriving at years of maturity he was sent by his mother to Athens, a sword being given him by which he might make himself known to Ægeus. On his way from Træzen he destroyed Corynetes, Sigomis, Sciron, Cercyon, Procrustes, and the celebrated Phæa. He was not well received at Athens, and Medea attempted to poison him before his arrival was publicly known. The Palatides, who attempted to assassinate him, he put to death by his own hand. He next destroyed the bull of Marathon; and at Crete, by means of Ariadne who was enamored of him, he killed the Minotaur, and thereby redeemed the Athenians from the annual tribute of seven chosen youths and as many virgins to be devoured by the monster. On ascending his father's throne he ruled the Athenians with mildness, made new laws and regulations, and by his policy won the friendship of the King of the Lapithe. Theseus, in conjunction with Pirithous, carried off Helen, the daughter of Leda, but whom he was compelled to restore. While he was in captivity, Mnestheus obtained the crown, and Theseus on his return attempted to eject the usurper, but, failing, he retired to the court of Lycomedes, a king of the island of Scyros, who, jealous of his fame, carried him to a high rock and threw him down a precipice. The children of Theseus, after the death of Mnestheus, recovered the Athenian throne.
1000 Classical Characters (1900)
King of Athens and son of Aegeus by Aethra , was one of the most celebrated heroes of antiquity. He caught the bull of Marathon and sacrificed it to Minerva. After this he went to Crete amongst the seven youths sent yearly by the Athenians to be devoured by the Minotaur, and by the aid of Ariadne he slew the monster. He ascended his father's throne B. C. 1235. Pirithous, king of the Lapithae, invaded his territories, but the two became firm friends. They descended into the infernal regions to carry off Proserpine, but their intentions were frustrated by Pluto. After remaining for some time in the infernal regions, Theseus returned to his kingdom to find the throne filled by a usurper, whom he vainly tried to eject. He retired to Scyros, where he was killed by a fall from a precipice.