Overview
This lecture recounts the mythological life of Theseus, legendary hero and king of Athens, highlighting his origins, key adventures, and role in Greek mythology and Athenian history.
Origins of Theseus
- King Aegeus of Athens, desperate for a male heir, consulted the Oracle of Delphi and received a cryptic prophecy.
- Aegeus, aided by King Pittheus, fathered a child with Pittheus' daughter, Aethra, who was visited by the god Poseidon the same night.
- Theseus was born from Aethra, with both mortal and divine parentage.
- Aegeus hid his sandals and sword under a stone; Theseus was to claim them when strong enough and go to Athens.
Early Heroism
- Theseus proved his courage as a child by attacking Hercules' lion skin, impressing the hero.
- At age 16, Theseus lifted the stone, claimed his father’s sword and sandals, and chose to travel to Athens by land to prove his heroism.
- On his journey, he defeated notorious bandits: Periphetes, Cercyon, and Procrustes, and overcame wild beasts.
Arrival in Athens and the Minotaur
- Upon arrival, Medea, fearing for her influence, tried to poison Theseus, but Aegeus recognized his son and stopped her.
- Athens, under tribute to King Minos of Crete, sent youths annually to the Minotaur’s Labyrinth.
- Theseus volunteered to face the Minotaur, receiving a sword and a ball of yarn from Princess Ariadne to find his way out.
- He killed the Minotaur and escaped the Labyrinth with surviving youths, aided by Ariadne.
Tragedy and Kingship
- Forgetting to change the ship’s sails to signal his survival, Theseus inadvertently caused Aegeus’ suicide; the Aegean Sea is named after the king.
- Theseus became king, instituted democratic reforms, and led Athens through a period of prosperity.
Later Adventures and Family
- He aided Hercules and fought alongside him, notably against the Amazons, marrying Antiope who bore him Hippolytus.
- Theseus also joined the Calydonian Boar Hunt and Jason’s quest for the Golden Fleece.
- He battled centaurs at Pirithous’s wedding, strengthening their friendship.
Tragic Endings and Death
- Married Phaedra, Ariadne’s sister, who fell in love with Hippolytus, leading to false accusations, deaths, and grief.
- Later adventures included the abduction of Helen and an unsuccessful attempt to kidnap Persephone, which left him imprisoned in the Underworld until rescued by Hercules.
- Returning to Athens, Theseus found his rule usurped and, betrayed by King Lycomedes, he died after being pushed from a cliff.
- Athenians later honored Theseus as their greatest hero.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Minotaur — Mythological half-man, half-bull monster within the Labyrinth of Crete.
- Labyrinth — Maze constructed by Daedalus to imprison the Minotaur.
- Aegean Sea — Named after King Aegeus, who died by suicide.
- Democracy — System of government Theseus is credited with bringing to Athens, where citizens were equals.
- Hippolytus — Son of Theseus and Antiope, falsely accused by Phaedra.
- Pirithous — King of Lapiths and close friend of Theseus.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the sequence of Theseus’s major adventures and their impact on Athens.
- Study key relationships (Aegeus, Ariadne, Antiope, Phaedra) for their roles in Theseus’ story.