Lectionary Calendar
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2024
the Fourth Week after Easter
the Fourth Week after Easter
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Bible Encyclopedias
Procrustes
1911 Encyclopedia Britannica
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(Gr. for "the stretcher"), also called Poly Pemon or Damastes, in Greek legend, a robber dwelling in the neighbourhood of Eleusis, who was slain by Theseus. He had two bedsteads (according to some, only one), the one very long, the other very short. When a stranger claimed his hospitality, Procrustes compelled him, if he was tall, to lie down on the short bed, and then cut off his extremities to make him fit. If on the other hand he was short, he was placed on the long bedstead and his limbs pulled out until he died from exhaustion. The "bed of Procrustes" has become proverbial.
Diod. Sic. iv. 59; Hyginus, fab. 38; Plutarch, Theseus, Pausanias i. 38, 5.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
These files are public domain.
Bibliography Information
Chisholm, Hugh, General Editor. Entry for 'Procrustes'. 1911 Encyclopedia Britanica. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/bri/p/procrustes.html. 1910.
Chisholm, Hugh, General Editor. Entry for 'Procrustes'. 1911 Encyclopedia Britanica. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/bri/p/procrustes.html. 1910.
