Bulfinch’s Mythology · Chapter
Bladud explained
Bladud, a legendary king, founded the city of Bath and dedicated its healing waters to Minerva.
What happens
Bladud, a legendary king, founded the city of Bath and dedicated its healing waters to Minerva. Known for his inventive mind and practice of magic, he crafted wings to fly but fell to his death upon the temple of Apollo in Trinovant after a reign of twenty years.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional peak of Tristram’s brief reunion with…
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Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Hubris and Divine Retribution
Bladud's attempt to fly with artificial wings leads to his fatal fall, illustrating the consequences of overreaching human ambition.
Characters to notice
- Minerva
Bladud dedicated the medicinal waters of Bath to Minerva.
- Phoebus Apollo
Bladud fell upon the temple of Apollo in Trinovant and died.
Key passages
“Bladud built the city of Bath, and dedicated the medicinal waters to Minerva.”
Bladud established the city of Bath and consecrated its healing springs to the goddess Minerva.
Highlights the founding of a notable city and religious dedication.
“He was a man of great invention, and practised the arts of magic, till, having made him wings to fly, he fell down upon the temple of Apollo, in Trinovant, and so died, after twenty years’ reign.”
A highly inventive king skilled in magic, he constructed wings to fly, but crashed onto Apollo's temple in Trinovant and perished, ending his two-decade rule.
Summarizes his inventive nature, magical practices, and tragic demise.
