The Role Of Theseus In Greek Mythology

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Theseus was a hero of Athens in Greek Mythology. According to the article Theseus, he was known for not only his strength, but his intelligence and wisdom. According to Theseus Adventures Theseus is the son of Aegeus, Poseidon and Aethra. No one knows who Theseus’s father really is because both Aegeus and Poseidon were fond of his mother at the time (Theseus Adventures”). According to the book God, Goddess, and Mythology, though Theseus did end up with some of Poseidon’s characteristics. The website “Greek Mythology” states that Theseus was raised in the small town of Troezen by his mother and grandfather, King Pittheus. There are many myths about the quests and adventures that Theseus goes on throughout his life (“Theseus” 1). One of the most …show more content…
That night, Ariadne came to him and said that she would help him defeat the Minotaur if Theseus would make her his wife when they returned to Athens (“Greek Mythology”). Theseus agreed and Ariadne grew him a ball of silk thread and told him to tie it to the entrance of the Labyrinth and unroll it as he traveled through the tunnels. This would help him find his way back to the entrance of the Labyrinth once he had killed the Minotaur. The next day Theseus and the Athenians were put into the Labyrinth. Theseus tied the tread to the beginning of the Labyrinth and unrolled it as they walked along. Soon the group came upon the Minotaur at the center of the Labyrinth. The article "Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology: Theseus." and the book “Gods, Goddess, and Mythology” claim that there are conflicting reports about how Theseus defeated the Minotaur. Theseus is depicted to have either used a sword, club or his bare hands to defeat the Minotaur, but as the "Encyclopedia of Greek Mythology: Theseus." points out it is hard to believe that Theseus could have concealed such bulky weapons, like a sword or a club, in his clothing. The article concludes that it was more likely that Theseus found the Minotaur sleeping and very heroically beat it to death. The Minotaur died and Theseus followed the silk thread back to the entrance of the