Theseus

Statue of Theseus slaying the Minotaur in Athens

Theseus was a legendary hero and the founder as well as a king of Athens in Greek mythology.

Mythology

The Minotaur and Ariadne

As one of the Greek mythology's legendary heroes, many stories were attached to Theseus. The best known story is possibly of how he slew the Minotaur in the labyrinth below the Knossos Palace in Krete. King Minos of Krete commanded Athenians to send fourteen of their finest men and women annually to feed to the beast. In time, this included Theseus, who swore to slay the Minotaur.

When Theseus arrived in Krete, he met Minos' daughter, Ariadne. They fell in love, and Ariadne gave Theseus thread to help him find his way in the labyrinth. He entered the massive complex, using the cord to reach its center and eventually slayed the beast. Its body dropped a strange artifact and quickly faded into the desiccated corpse of its previous wielder, who had the beast's form. The hero left the labytinth, leaving the golden orb behind. After Theseus' success, Ariadne joined him on his ship, and they set sail for Athens together. However, they stopped at Naxos Island to celebrate. Theseus left the island alone, either because he abandoned Ariadne, or because she forgot to return to his ship in time. Before leaving for Krete, Theseus had promised his father, king Aegeus, to have the sails of his ship changed from black to white if he was successful. However, Theseus forgot to do this, and thus his father cast himself into the sea, believing his son was dead.

Phaidra and Hippolytos

Later on, Theseus married Phaidra. However, she fell in love with Theseus' son, Hippolytos. When the feelings weren't mutual, Phaidra told Theseus that Hippolytos had violated her, and in anger Theseus invoked the god Poseidon. Poseidon sent a sea monster, and Hippolytos died in the Sinkholes of Herakles region of Argolis while driving in his chariot.

Other adventures

Theseus was said to have killed the Argive bandit Periphetes, the king of Eleusis Kerkyon, as well as Sinis, and caused the deaths of the Amazons Antiope and Hippolyta. Theseus also helped king Adrastos bury the Seven Against Thebes. At some point, Medea attempted to poison Theseus.

Final years

After his adventures, Theseus returned to Athens to reclaim his home, but found that the city had been seized by the rival factions. Deciding to leave the city, Theseus returned to Skyros, where he was betrayed by King Lykomedes and thrown off a cliff to his death.

Legacy

By the 5th century BCE, the story of Theseus' end was preserved in memory, as the Spartan misthios Kassandra visited the site of his death, named Hero's Fall. Theseus also had an armor set allegedly attributed to him and pair of bracers. In 429 BCE, Kassandra visited the ruins of the Knossos Palace, encountering the same labyrinth that Theseus had visited before, spotting the thread he had used to guide himself to the center. She eventually discovered that someone had taken possession of the artifact again and turned had into the Minotaur, slaying the monster thereafter.

Behind the scenes

In some stories, Theseus is counted among the Argonauts. The mural featuring Theseus sitting is based on the reconstruction of Polygnotos' Nekyia. The tapestry depicting Theseus and Minotaur in Assassin's Creed: Odyssey is based on a painting on a 5th century BCE stamnos.

Gallery

A 5th century BCE mural featuring Theseus

Tapestry of Theseus slaying the Minotaur

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (statue only)
• Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece (mentioned only)
• Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR (mentioned in Database entry only)