Lemnos is most popularly identified in the epic
story of Jason and the
Argonauts. The adventurers paused at the
island enroute to Colchis
where Jason would meet his future wife, Medea.
Lemnos was completely devoid of men. The
heroes discovered that all been murdered by
their wives to foil the menfolk's plan of taking new brides.
MacThoy
scholars are confident that this epic reference
to widows
reinforced the
belief that MacThoy women as a group have a
tradition of offing their bridegroom shortly after
the honeymoon is over.
King
Midas was also said to have associated with the
MacThoi, Namely, Silenus
Mochthos.
Hearing of Silenus' delightful company, Midas
sought to lure him to court by allowing him to
discover a pond filled with wine.
It is
because of the King's foolhardy wish to consort
with the MacThoi and his enjoyment of their tales
and music that many Greek historians describe him
as having the ears of an ass.
Greek
History continues
