 Greek Myths

Theseus and the Minotaur Θησεύς κα  Μῑνώταυρος King Minos was at war with the Athenians, and every nine years exacted a tribute of 7 girls and 7 boys to feed to his pet minotaur. Theseus, son of the King of Athens, decided to end the tribute, and went as one of the 7 boys. Once at Crete, he and Minos’ daughter fell in love.

Theseus and the Minotaur Θησεύς κα  Μῑνώταυρος Fearful for Thesus’ life, the princess consulted Daedalus, constructor of the labyrinth for help. He gave her a ball of string and a sword, which she passed on to Theseus. Theseus used the string to find his way in the maze, and his sword to kill the minotaur (which is half man, half bull).

Icarus and Daedalus Ἴκαρος κα  Δαίδαλος Icarus and Daedalus were exiled to the island of Crete after they helped Theseus defeat the minotaur, whose labyrinth they helped design. In order for himself and his son to escape, Daedalus created two pairs of wings made of feathers and wax.

Icarus and Daedalus Ἴκαρος κα  Δαίδαλος Before taking off, Daedalus warned his son not to fly too close to the sun, lest the wax melt. Icarus did not heed his father’s warning, and giddy with the freedom of flight, soared high above the sea, so close to the sun that the wax on his wings melted and he fell to his death in the sea which later bore his name: the Icarian Sea.

Sisyphus Σίσυφος Sisyphus was a man who thought he was more clever than the gods. As punishment for his hubris, Zeus ordered Hades to imprison Sisyphus in Tartarus, a place of punishment under Hades. Sisyphus, however, was able to trick Thanatos, God of death, into wearing the chains instead, while Sisyphus escaped back to Earth.

Sisyphus Σίσυφος Sisyphus claimed he was more clever than Zeus with his escape. Zeus was not pleased, and sent Sisyphus back to Tartarus with a punishment of rolling a boulder up a hill, only to have it fall back as it crests the top, so that he must begin anew.