Comparison of Theseus and Romulus

Such, then, are the memorable things about Romulus and Theseus which I have been able to learn. And it appears, first of all, that Theseus, of his own choice, when no one compelled him, but when it was possible for him to reign without fear at Troezen as heir to no inglorious realm, of his own accord reached out after great achievements; whereas Romulus, to escape present servitude and impending punishment, became simply courageous out of fear, as Plato phrases it,[*](Phaedo, p. 68 d.) and through the dread of extreme penalties proceeded to perform great exploits under compulsion.