Aristaeus compels Proteus to give his Response. Engraving from 'Tableaux du temple des muses' (1655) by Michel de Marolles (1600 - 1681), known as the abbé de Marolles; a French churchman and translator. According to Virgil in the fourth Georgic, the bees of Aristaeus, son of Apollo, all died of a disease. Aristaeus went to his mother, Cyrene, for help; she told him that Proteus could tell him how to prevent another such disaster, but would do so only if compelled. Aristaeus had to seize Proteus and hold him, no matter what he would change into. Aristaeus did so, and Proteus eventually gave up and told him that the bees' death was a punishment for causing the death of Eurydice.