αcademus

Introduction

This is a pleasant story about a Greek farmer. It seems that a Spartan
maiden, named Helen, was kidnapped by the legendary hero Theseus. Her
twin brothers, Castor and Pollux, who are now in our heavens as two
bright stars, searched for their sister without success until they met
the farmer, Academus, who seems to have given them some hint as to the
whereabouts of the kidnapper and his victim. As a reward for his
alertness the grove of Academus was eternally watched over by the gods.
It was in this grove that the great philosopher Plato held his classes.
The grove was called Academeia, and for many years after his death his
pupils and followers met in this same spot for their discussions. Plato
never did verify the story of the farmer, but he gave us the word
academy that now means a place of learning.