Whilom, as olde stories tellen us,
Ther was a duc that highte Theseus;
Of Atthenes he was lord and governour,
And in his tyme swich a conquerour
That gretter was there noon under the sonne.
Ful many a rich contree hadde he wonne;
What with his wysdom and his chilvalrie.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Knight’s Tale. At the beginning of his tale the Knight introduces us to his most powerful character, Theseus, the duke and leader of Athens. He has conquered many rich countries and we are told there is no one greater under the sun.