Greek and Roman Mythology: Heroes: Theseus
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Theseus is best known as the major overall hero of Athens. He was raised
in the kingdom of his mother (Troezen) until he was 16. After the death of his father he went
to Athens to claim the kingdom as his birthright. He remained king until he later retired to an
island and was killed by Lycomedes.
Theseus is also known for having all punishments fit/match the crime. He once came upon a man named Sinis that was so strong that he bent pine trees to the ground. He then lashed his victim to them and let the trees spring up. Theseus set the same punishment to Sinis.
Birth: Upon Theseus' birth, his father lifted a heavy rock and hid his sword and sandals under it. When Theseus was old enough to retrieve these, he was to be sent to Athens to claim his birthright. This was acomplished in his 16th year.
Minotaur: King Minos always demanded a 14 person sacrifice to the animal each year. In order to stop this, Theseus hid on the barge that was to carry the sacrifices to Knossos. In order to aid him in escaping the minotaur he was given a sword and a skein of thread. Upon his return a white sail would mean success and a black sail doom. Theseus succeeded in defeating the beast, but forgot to change the sails. In his grief, King Aegeus threw himself off of a cliff.
Father: Aegeus
Mother: Aethera
Wife: Phaedea
Children: Hippolytus
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Copyright: Nikki Burke 2000-2008
Website Last Updated: January 03, 2008
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