Theseus Athenian black figure kylix cup, c. 550 BCE

How do earlier myths about Theseus in the archaic period (8th to mid 5th c. BCE) differ later myths (last quarter of mid 5th c. BCE onward)? What might be a reason for these changes? How does Theseus compare with Heracles?

Earlier myths about Theseus (archaic period, 8th-mid 6th c Earlier myths about Theseus (archaic period, 8th-mid 6th c. BCE) in Homeric poems, early lyric, art Abduction of women (Helen with Perithous, Ariadne) Killing of monsters (fight against Centaurs with Perithous, killing of Minotaur) Do not seem to have a specifically Athenian context

Later myths about Theseus (last quarter of 6th c. BCE and onward) Exploits of Theseus begin to be juxtaposed with those of Heracles: what are some comparisons between them and their labors? Myths about Theseus making world safer, civilizing, killing of bandits, specifically on road between Troezen (Peloponnese) and Athens (e.g. Sciron, Sinis the Pinebender, Procrustes and his beds, Cercyon) Myths about protection of refugees and exiles (Oedipus, Medea, Adrastus) Closely identified with Athens and Athenian identity

Map of Theseus’ labors in the Isthmus and Megarid (territory between Peloponnese and Attica)

Heracles and Theseus and ethnic connections Identification of Heracles and his descendants (Heraclids) with Dorian ethnos (“tribe, group”), found mainly in Peloponnese. Gradual identification of Theseus with Athens and the Athenians (ethnic Ionians), myth crediting him with unification of villages and towns of Attica into Athenian state and role in festival of Synoikismos (“living together”, “unification”): see Plutarch reading (Anthology, pp. 376-377) myths showing him simultaneously as ideal monarch and proto-democratic leader, claimed by tyrants (Peisistratids), oligarchs, and democrats (cf. figure of Lincoln). See also Plutarch reading (Anthology, pp. 376-377) Myths showing him as protector of refugees (e.g. Oedipus from Thebes, a city that was a major opponent of the Athenians, esp. in Peloponnesian War) Bones of Theseus “found” on island of Scyros in 476 BCE, brought to Athens and buried as hero with hero cult Increasing hostilities between Dorian Peloponnesian league (mainly Sparta) and Athenians and their allies in the 5th c. BCE, culminating in Peloponnesian War (431-404 BCE) means Heracles and Theseus become increasingly identified with Peloponnesian and Athenian identities.

Ancestry of three main Greek ethnic groups Hellen, son of Deucalion and Pyrrha, eponymous ancestor of the Hellenes (Greeks) Has three sons: Xouthos, grandfather of Ion, eponymous ancestor of Ionian Greeks (of which Athenians are a part) Doros, eponymous ancestor of the Dorian Greeks (mainly Peloponnesians, including Spartans) Aiolos/Aeolus, eponymous ancestor of the Aeolian Greeks (including Boeotians, Thessalians, Aeolians)

Lincoln claimed by the left Lincoln claimed by the left. Details from the mural “The Struggle Against Racial Discrimination” by Pablo O’Higgins (1945), now hanging outside Kane 220. Note figure of Lincoln on left, paired with figure in lower right wearing Communist party emblem of hammer and sickle

Lincoln claimed by the right.

Birth of Theseus King Aegeus of Athens, son of Pandion II, and lack of son and heir. Consultation of Delphic oracle and the reply: “The projecting mouth of the wineskin, O best of men, loose not until you come to the Athenians’ peak.” Interpretation of the oracle and the kunodesmê (“dog-knot”) Night at Pittheus’ in Troezen, encounter with P’s daughter, Aethra, double impregnation by Aegeus and Poseidon (cf. Heracles).

Wineskins

The kunodesmê

Theseus cont’d Burial of sword and sandals under stone by Aegeus. Coming of age of Theseus, journey to Athens via the Isthmus and the six labors: 1. Periphetes of the iron club (Epidaurus) 2. Sinis pityokamptês (“pine-bender”) (Isthmus of Corinth) 3. Crommyonian Sow 4. Sc(e)iron the footwasher, flesh-eating turtle (Megara) 5. Cercyon the wrestler (Eleusis) 6. Procrustes [“the one who beats or hammers out”] (called Damastes [“the subduer”] or Polypemon [“the one who inflicts much pain”] in Apollodorus) and his bed(s).

Aethra reveals to Theseus the hiding place of the sword and sandals of Aegeus

Map of Theseus’ labors in the Isthmus and Megarid (territory between Peloponnese and Attica)

Theseus’ Isthmian labours. In the centre, Th. and the Minotaur Theseus’ Isthmian labours. In the centre, Th. and the Minotaur. Instead of Periphetes and the iron club, this version has Th. and the bull of Marathon (which in some versions is the Cretan bull that Heracles captured and let go)

Theseus in Athens Evil stepmother Medea (see Jason and the Argonauts, later), new wife of Aegeus. Labor of Marathonian bull (in some versions the Cretan bull captured by Heracles, escapes again) Attempted poisoning and final recognition by Aegeus through sword. Minotaur episode

Minotaur myth Rape of Europa, d. of Agenor, by Zeus in bull form. Minos, son of Europa, and rivalry for the throne, Poseidon and the bull from the sea. Pasiphae, w. of Minos, and her passion for the bull, device of Athenian exile Daedalus (Gr. daidalos “intricate, cunning”), construction of the labyrinth. Death of Minos’ son Androgeos in Athens and the imposition of tribute.

Europa abducted by Zeus in the form of a bull Europa abducted by Zeus in the form of a bull. Clockwise: Roman wall painting, Greek relief from archaic period, Titian (16th c.)

clockwise: Bronze age fresco from Knossos showing bull-leaping, coin from Roman period showing labyrinth of Knossos, Roman mosaic showing labyrinth with Theseus and Minotaur at centre.

Aerial View of the bronze-age Mycenaean palace at Knossos (1600-1200 BCE), Crete

L: Roman wall painting, Daedalus instructs Pasiphae in use of cow decoy. R: Athenian red figure vase painting shows P. and baby Minotaur

Theseus and Minotaur Tribute demanded by Minos: seven young men and seven unmarried girls [parthenoi] from the Athenians Theseus’ dive and the wreath of Amphitritê as recounted by Bacchylides (Anthology, pp. 69-72) and context of poem (choral dance on Delos) Slaying of Minotaur with help of Ariadne and elopement to island of Naxos/Dia Question of abandonment by Theseus: alternate versions and marriage to Dionysus. Return to Athens via Delos (island of Apollo) and the Crane Dance (geranos). Theseus’ grief (or forgetfulness?), the sail, and the death of Aegeus.

Theseus and Minotaur

Ariadne on Naxos (1). L: Athenian red figure lekythos, c. 460 BCE Ariadne on Naxos (1). L: Athenian red figure lekythos, c. 460 BCE. Athena, Theseus, Ariadne. Small winged figure of Hypnos (“Sleep”) on Ariadne’s head. R: Theseus, Athena, Dionysus, Ariadne

Theseus is summoned away from Ariadne by Hermes Theseus is summoned away from Ariadne by Hermes. Hypnos (sleep) watches over Ariadne. Burgeoning vine indicates presence of Dionysus. Athenian red figure kylix, c. 490 BCE

Ariadne on Naxos (2) L: Pompeian wall painting, before 79 CE Ariadne on Naxos (2) L: Pompeian wall painting, before 79 CE. R: Ariadne and the retinue of Bacchus (Dionysus). Oil painting by Titian, 1525 CE

l. Possible depiction of Crane Dance on 7th c. BC storage vessel r l. Possible depiction of Crane Dance on 7th c. BC storage vessel r. Modern Greek dance tsakonikos, said by some to be remnant of Crane Dance.

Elements of initiation paradigm in Theseus and Minotaur myth? Theseus travels to far land. Overcomes death and monster. Has amorous adventure. Returns as king Initiate driven from home Undergoes mock death Undergoes sexual experience Return of initiate to society as adult

Theseus’ Return Theseus and Antiope, subsequent Amazonomachy and invasion of Athens. Subsequent hero cult attached to Amazon graves. Theseus and Hippolytus, Phaedra Theseus and Pirithous, battle of Lapiths and Centaurs (centauromachy), abduction of Helen (note connection with Trojan War myth cycle) by Theseus and Persephone by Pirithous. Encounter with Heracles in the underworld. Exile and death of Theseus on Skyros. Motif of the lawgiver-hero (cf. Lycurgus of Sparta) Theseus as Athenian hero and founder of synoikismos, major festivals. Theseus as hero of both Peisitratid (family of tyrants) regime and democracy, Cimon and the bones of Theseus

Clockwise: Abduction of Antiope, centaurs at marriage of Pirithous, ditto, Theseus assisted in the underworld by Heracles