[The story goes that] Kyknos the son of Poseidon made a second marriage after the birth of his children Hemithea and Tennes[sic]; and Tennes was accused by his stepmother[1] of trying to seduce her. She persuaded Kyknos to throw the young man into a chest; and after Hemithea had opted to share her brother's hazard he hurled them both into the sea. The chest was carried to a place which was formerly called Leukophrys but subsequently, after him, Tenedos. [Tennes was the man] who became king of the island and laid down in its laws that the public slave should stand with a raised axe behind those who were making false accusations, where he could immediately execute those convicted. And from the frightening aspect of this man came the phrase 'Tenedian fellow'. So the proverb is applied to those who have a frightening appearance.