The Myth of Theseus Theseus The Athenian Hero

The Myth of Theseus

Theseus: The Athenian Hero • Son of Poseidon, Aegeus (king of Athens) and Aethra (princess of Troezen). • The myths of Theseus appear to preserve a fair amount of historical memory. • The Athenians believed that Theseus was a historical person, an early king who unified Attica. • In 475 the politician Kimon brought to Athens remains which were believed to belong to Theseus, much like the cult of relics in medieval Christianity.

Theseus: Early years • Young Theseus recovers his father’s sword, and takes the land route to Athens. • He defeats Prokroustes and places him on the same bed where he put his victims to fit. • Sines, the pine-tree bender • Skiron, who kicked passengers into the sea • several other bandids

Theseus in Athens • Once in Athens Theseus faces danger from Medea, the famous witch consort of Aegeus, and his cousins the 50 gigantic sons of Pallas • He slays his cousins • He slays the Marathonian bull

Theseus and Minotaur • Human tribute to Minos • Theseus sent to Crete to be sacrificed • Ariadne falls in love with him and gives him a way out of the labyrinth • Theseus slays Minotaur • Ariadne abandoned at Naxos • Aegeus throws himself into the sea

The bull in the mythology of Crete • Zeus seduces Europa in Phoenicia and carries her to Crete. • Minos, Radamantys and Sarpedon (Iliad) her sons • Minotaur: son of the bull and Pasiphae (or Poseidon and Pasiphae) • The myths are probably aetiological meant to explain the prominence of the bull in Minoan art and cultural iconography.