In Greek mythology, the Marathonian Bull was a ferocious bull, originally the Cretan Bull, captured by Theseus.

On the way to Marathon to capture the Bull, Theseus sought shelter from a storm in the shack owned by an ancient lady named Hecale. She swore to make a sacrifice to Zeus if Theseus was successful in capturing the bull. Theseus did capture the bull but when he returned to Hecale's hut, she was dead. Theseus built a deme in her honor.