3 of 3

Write now Article Tools

A secret elopement of King Aegeus to Princess Aethra began a myth of a hero and his quest. Theseus is secretly given birth by a King begins an adventure of strength to slay a monster, charm to win a princess, wealth in gaining a kingdom and ends with descending to the underworld. In Greece there were three central nations that reveal themselves in the myth of Theseus. They are Athens in central Greece, Corinth to the south, and the island nation of Crete. These are the three settings for Theseus adventure.

A myth retold.

Bored and lonely, Princess Aethra is swept off her feet by the charming King Aegeus of Athens when the King visited Corinth. The Princess was promised to Bellerophon who had yet to arrive on his winged horse Pegasus from Lydia. The King was present now, charming, and a King. Secretly slipping off with the King to wed him instead. After a brief honeymoon the King told the now Queen, "I am afraid I must depart now my love. It is for your safety I fear. For if my nephew finds that we have wed, he may kill you to stay next in line for the Kingdom of Athens. If you find you are with son, pretend he is fathered from the God Poseidon. Be safe my love."

The King leaving without another word and returned to Athens never to leave again. Aethra did bore a son. A son she named Theseus. When Theseus was only 14 his mother asked him if he could move a large rock for her. Theseus lifted the rock and tossed it away showing remarkable strength. Hidden beneath the stone Theseus found a sword with a golden snake patter inscribed on the blade and a pair of sandals. Aethra told him "These were left by your father. Now take them and go to him. He is the King of Athens. Tell him you found what he left for you. But speak only to your father and no one else. Your life may depend upon it. I have only pretended that Poseidon was your father. Now go."

So Theseus left what he knew and began his adventure. Upon the coastal road the first he came upon was Sinis. Sinis was a giant entertained himself by tying traveler's up with pine trees and torture them by letting the pines go splitting the poor soul into. When he met up with Theseus they wrestled. Theseus winning and did to Sinis as Sinis did to others.

Theseus continued on his journey next meeting up with a wild sow with tusks sharper than a sickle. Theseus showing his agility and strength killed the wild beast. Seeing the Inn ahead, he went up against Procrustes who was a wicked man. Having only one bed in the Inn when a

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Greek mythology: Theseus as an Athenian hero?
We want to hear your view. Write now!