1. THESEUS Hero of Athens

2. Early Myths of Athens Cecrops – serpent shaped, founder of Attica Erichthonius – serpent shaped son of Ge and Hephaestus Athena Chest daughters of Cerops, driven mad, threw themselves off Acropolis first Panathenaia & first wooden statue

3. Early Myths of Athens Erechtheus – grandson of Erichthonius, ruler, bulls sacrificed Erechtheum – place of worship Eleusianians – sacrifices daughter(s) Kills son of Poseidon Struck by Poseidon Euripides - ‘Ion’ = daughter, Creusa, escapes death

4. Philomela, Procne & Tereus Tereus aids Pandion (Athenian king) daughter Procne Itys Philomela, sister, violated : tongueless and shut up in building Sisters revenge Tapestry, taken to Procne Festival of Dionysus, madness (faked), rescues Philomela, brought to palace Death of Itys, stabbed & throat cut, ripped apart, Hmmm, dinner Procne – nightingale; Philomela – swallow, Tereus – a bird of prey

5. Theseus Alternative father = Poseidon violated Aethra King Aegeus childless – Delphi “do not open a wineskin’s mouth” Troezen, Pittheus, Aethra – gets drunk & loves her Two tokens of recognition sandals & sword (under stone) for the (possible) son of his Theseus born

6. Theseus Earlier links weakened Scarcely known before 6 th cent BCE In 6 th BCE, appears more on art epic ‘Theseis’ (lost) Similar deeds famous because Athenian writers writings still exist, so we know more

7. Theseus Deeds of Pisistratus (6 th BCE) Unification of Athens, coinage Panathenaic games friendly to refugees – Oedipus, Orestes Parallels increased reputation of Pisistratus Credited with democracy, Cleisthenes introduced it 490 BCE, Miltiades pushes Persians back

8. Labors of Theseus Theseus claims sword way to Athens - performs various heroic tasks 1. Periphetes – Corynetes (club man) 2. Sinis – Pityocamptes (pine-bender) 3. A man-eating sow 4. Sciron – feet-washer 5. Cercyron – the wrestler 6. Procrustes – “one bed fits all”

9. Arrival at Athens Witch Medea & son Medus (by Aegeus – cured infertility) poison Theseus Recognized sword Pallas and sons Medea and Medus leave for Asia winged chariot, pulled by snakes/dragons

10. Bull of Marathon Same as Heracles Sacrifices to Apollo

11. Minotaur a half man /half bull son of Pasiphae, wife of Minos and bull Daedalus = Labyrinth

12. The Minotaur Androgeos killed - Panathenaia games: too successful Minos sends army, defeats Megara Treaty with Athens: 7 youths & 7 maidens Chosen by lot, Theseus volunteers On route: Minos attacks maiden, Theseus intervenes Theseus tested : ring overboard, Theseus follows, dolphins Amphitrite - purple robe & wreath Returns to ship

13. The Minotaur Ariadne - thread Alternate version: Wreath Sails back home with youths & maidens

14. Ariadne on Naxos Naxos – deserted Dionysus arrives & marriage constellation “Ariadne’s wreath” killed by Artemis she eloped with Theseus betrothed to Dionysos die in childbirth Theseus sets up ritual and cult Delos - sacrifices to Apollo – crane dance (labyrinth)

15. Theseus and Pirithous Centauromachy Wife selection Theseus kidnaps Helen – retrieved with Aethra, becomes nurse - until end of Trojan war Theseus & Pirithous - Hades Pirithous & Persephone –magical chairs Theseus released by Heracles

16. Minos Daedalus Kills Perdix - invented saw Crete, works for Minos Minos’ trick Pasiphae’s love for bulls Hollow bull and maze

17. Icarus Leaving Crete Wax wings - for himself and son Icarus Icarus flies to close to the sun Mare Icarium Daedalus - Sicily Minos drowned