The story of Proteus, the “Prophetic old man of the sea”, describes the said subject as omniscient and supernatural, possessing seemingly unlimited knowledge, including all forms of time, including past, present, and future. Various Knowledge seekers, notably Menelaus in Homer’s interpretation, and Aristaeus in Virgil’s, would seek Proteus for enlightenment. He would Grant the knowledge in question if and only if, the requester was able to restrain Proteus. The trick is, Proteus has complete control of the shape and size of his physical presence. Then there is the Greek tale of Procrustes, who was a robber, but to a large extent, a prolific serial killer. He was in possession of a special bed, sometimes made of metal, sometimes a combination
