To most people it has the same significance as a fable, legendary tale, or fanciful falsehood. […] To delay the pursuit, Medea slew her little brother, cut the body in pieces, and dropped them over the side of the vessel. […] To revenge his son’s death Apollo slew the Cyclops who had forged the thunderbolt. […] To punish her husband for infidelity, Medea killed two of her children in their father’s presence. […] To every deity a distinct victim was allotted, and the greatest care was always taken in the selection of them.