Theseus and the Minotaur

• In Greek Mythology, Theseus freed Athens from King Minos and the Minotaur who lived in a Labyrinth on Crete.
• Every nine years, Athens had to send seven boys and seven girls to be devoured by the Minotaur. By slaying the Minotaur, Theseus thus freed Athens from the tyranny of King Minos of Crete.

The Myth

• King Minos’ punishment of Athens
  • King Minos of Crete had a son called Androgeus, who was killed by the Athenians.
  • As a punishment, Aegeus, the King of Athens, was required by King Minos to send seven youths and seven maidens, dawn by lots, every three years to be devoured by a monster called the Minotaur.
• The Minotaur
  • The Minotaur had the head and tail of a bull, and the body of a man, and lived in a maze called the Labyrinth.
• Theseus offers to save Athens
  • Theseus, son of King Aegeus, offered to end the slaughter, by killing the Minotaur.
  • He arranged for a signal to be given to his father; if he was successful, his returning vessel would hoist a white sail, if unsuccessful, it would hoist a black sail.
• Theseus meets Ariadne
  • When Theseus arrived in Crete with a group of fellow Athenians, Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos, fell in love with him.
• Ariadne’s Thread
  • The Minotaur lived in a Labyrinth from which no one could escape. Ariadne gave Theseus a ball of thread so that he could retrace his steps.
  • Theseus and the Athenians entered the Labyrinth, and Theseus killed the Minotaur using his father’s sword.
• Theseus returns
  • Theseus set sail for Athens, taking Ariadne with him, but decided to leave her behind on the island of Naxos. However, he forgot to hoist the white sail.
  • When King Aegeus’ lookout saw the black sail arriving, King Aegeus threw himself into the sea in despair and drowned.
• Naming of the Aegean Sea
  • Theseus inherited his father’s throne, and the Aegean Sea was named after his father, King Aegeus.