1. Theseus By Ellie Young

2. The Beginning  Theseus was the son of King Aegeus, the King of Athens.  However, Theseus was raised by his mother, in a city in southern Greece.  Two gifts : sword, pair of shoes.  When Theseus could lift the stone, he should journey to Athens.

3. The time comes…  Refuses to journey by sea, because it is too safe and easy.  Kills all the bandits Sciron, Sinis, and Procrustes on the road.  His motto was: What each had done to others, Theseus did to him.

4. Theseus’ Welcome  Greece rang with praises for Theseus  Acknowledged as a hero  Aegeus invited Theseus to a banquet, completely unaware he was his son.  His intention was to poison Theseus for fear of losing his throne due to Theseus’ popularity.

5. The “Lovely” Medea  The idea for poisoning Theseus, was Medea’s, who had come to Athens after fleeing Corinth.  She didn’t want to lose her power over Aegeus to Theseus.

6. The Banquet  Just as Medea hands Aegeus the poisoned cup, Theseus draws his sword, making himself known.  Aegeus recognizes him.  Medea escapes to Asia.  Aegeus then announces to everyone Theseus is his son.

7. King Minos’ role (prior)  King Minos of Crete was upset after King Aegeus sent his only son on a perilous journey.  Took over Athens and declared he would destroy it unless every nine years the Athenian’s sent him 7 young men and women. (Think Hunger Games)  The 14 youths were given to the Minotaur.

8. The Labyrinth  As previously learned, Daedalus built the labyrinth to confine the Minotaur.  This was where the young Athenians were given to the Minotaur.

9. Theseus Volunteers as Tribute  Theseus volunteers to be sacrificed.  Planned to kill the Minotaur.  If he succeeded promised to change sail to white so his father could see his son had lived.

10. Love at First Sight (Again)  Minos’ daughter Ariadne fell in love with Theseus at first sight.  Asks Daedalus for way out of Labyrinth  Promises to tell Theseus if he marries her.  The hint: A ball of thread (Daedalus likes string) which he was to fasten at on end at the end and unravel all the way through.

11. Slaying the Minotaur  Finds him asleep  Falls on him  Pins him to the ground with his fists  Beat him to death

12. Theseus Saves The Day  Theseus kills the Minotaur, retraces his steps by following the thread, and heads to Athens with Ariadne.

13. The Pit-Stop  Docked at the Island of Naxos.  Theseus deserts Ariadne.

14. Oops…  Theseus forgets to put up the white sail.  King Aegeus was so upse he threw himself down from a rocky height into the sea and died.  Now called the Aegean sea.  Theseus becomes King.

15. A King’s Life  Theseus was a good king.  He declares he wants to be equal with his people.  Organizes a commonwealth and gives up his power  Citizens can gather and vote on issues.  Everyone is very happy.  “The only true home of liberty”.

16. The Vanquished  When the Thebians denied burial to the enemies who had died, the vanquished turned to Athens and Theseus.  Theseus led his army against Thebes.  Doesn’t loot or harm Thebes, just forces them to bury the corpses.

17. Other acts of Kindness  Takes in Oedipus  Protected Oedipus’ daughters  Convinced Hercules not to kill himself

18. Connections  Sailed on the Argo (Jason)  Fought in the Calydonian Boar hunt (Atalanta)

19. Pirithous The Doomed  As adventurous as Theseus but much less skilled.  Described as perpetually in trouble  Decided to steal some of Theseus’ cattle to test Theseus.  Theseus ultimately forgives him.

20. More Pirithous  In the end, Theseus cannot save the rash Pirithous.  Pirithous decided he wanted to marry Persephone.  Theseus agrees to help.  Theseus kidnaps Helen wants to marry her, while he’s in the underworld her brothers save her.

21. The Underworld  Hades invites them to sit  They sit on the chair of forgetfulness  Never leaves  Hercules saves Theseus, but Pirithous never leaves.

22. Marriage  Theseus marries Ariadne’s sister, Phaedra.  Had a child with an amazon, the son is then named Hippolytus.  Sends him to the town where he grew up.  Grows up hating the wealthy, and those in love.

23. Plot Twist  Phaedra falls in love with Hippolytus.  Hippolytus doesn’t notice her.  Phaedra’s maid goes to him and begs him to love her, he refuses to betray his father.  Phaedra kills herself.

24. Phaedra’s Last Words  Blames Hippolytus for her death  Theseus believes her  Theseus confronts Hippolytus, but he denies all accusations.  But Theseus banishes him anyway.  A monster comes and scares his horses, he crashes and he is severely hurt.

25. Artemis  Artemis tells Theseus what happened to his son.  Hippolytus is carried in and tells his father it wasn’t his fault, before he dies.

26. In the End  Finally, Achilles kills Theseus.  We are not told why his friend betrayed him.  The Athenians worship him like no other mortal.