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{{WP-REAL | [[File:ACOd-Statue-TheseusMinotaur-f.jpg|thumb|250px|Statue of Theseus slaying the Minotaur in Athens]] | ||
'''Theseus''' was a legendary hero and the founder as well as a king of [[Athens]] in [[Greece|Greek]] mythology. | |||
[[File:ACOd-Statue-TheseusMinotaur-f.jpg|thumb|250px|Statue of Theseus slaying the Minotaur in [[Athens]]]] | |||
' | ==Mythology== | ||
===The Minotaur and Ariadne=== | |||
As one of the Greek mythology's legendary heroes, many stories were attached to Theseus. | |||
The best known story is possibly of how he slew the [[Minotaur]] in the [[Labyrinth of Lost Souls|labyrinth]] below the [[Knossos Palace]] in [[Krete]]. King [[Minos]] of Krete commanded Athenians to send fourteen of their finest men and women annually to feed to the beast.<ref>''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]'' – [[Tours: Knossos]]: "Reparation"</ref> In time, this included Theseus, who swore to slay the Minotaur.<ref name="The Minotaur's Death">''Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece'' – Tours: Knossos: "The Minotaur's Death"</ref> | |||
When Theseus arrived in Krete, he met Minos' daughter, [[Ariadne]]. They fell in love, and Ariadne gave Theseus thread to help him find his way in the labyrinth.<ref name="The Minotaur's Death" /> He entered the massive complex, using the cord to reach its center and eventually slayed the beast. Its body dropped a [[Prize of the Minotaur|strange artifact]] and quickly faded into the desiccated corpse of its previous wielder, who had the beast's form. The hero left the labytinth, leaving the golden orb behind.<ref name=":0">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' – [[He Waits]]</ref> After Theseus' success, Ariadne joined him on his ship, and they set sail for Athens together. However, they stopped at [[Naxos Island]] to celebrate. Theseus left the island alone, either because he abandoned Ariadne, or because she forgot to return to his ship in time.<ref name="The Minotaur's Death" /><ref>''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – [[Historical Locations]] – Naxos Island: "Deathbed of Ariadne"</ref> Before leaving for Krete, Theseus had promised his father, king [[Aegeus]], to have the sails of his ship changed from black to white if he was successful. However, Theseus forgot to do this, and thus his father cast himself into the sea, believing his son was dead.<ref name="The Minotaur's Death" /> | |||
===Phaidra and Hippolytos=== | |||
Later on, Theseus married [[Phaidra]]. However, she fell in love with Theseus' son, [[Hippolytos]]. When the feelings weren't mutual, Phaidra told Theseus that Hippolytos had violated her, and in anger Theseus invoked the god [[Poseidon]]. Poseidon sent a sea monster, and Hippolytos died in the [[Sinkholes of Herakles]] region of [[Argolis]] while driving in his [[chariot]].<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – Historical Locations – Argolis: "Chariot of Hippolytos"</ref> | |||
===Other adventures=== | |||
Theseus was said to have killed the [[Argolis|Argive]] bandit [[Periphetes]],<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – Historical Locations – Argolis: "Bronze Club of Periphetes"</ref> the king of [[Sanctuary of Eleusis|Eleusis]] [[Kerkyon]],<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – Historical Locations – Attika: "Kerkyon Wrestling Ground" </ref> as well as [[Sinis]],<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – Historical Locations – Korinthia: "Sinis Torture Grounds"</ref> and caused the deaths of the [[Amazons]] [[Antiope]]<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – Historical Locations – Attika: "Memorial of the Amazons"</ref> and [[Hippolyta]].<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – Historical Locations – Megaris: "Tomb of the Amazons" </ref> Theseus also helped king [[Adrastos]] bury the [[Seven Against Thebes]].<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – Historical Locations – Attika: "Tomb of the Epigones"</ref> At some point, [[Medea]] attempted to poison Theseus.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – [[The Long Game]]</ref> | |||
===Final years=== | |||
After his adventures, Theseus returned to Athens to reclaim his home, but found that the city had been seized by the rival factions. Deciding to leave the city, Theseus returned to [[Skyros]], where he was betrayed by King [[Lykomedes]] and thrown off a [[Hero's Fall|cliff]] to his death.<ref name="Statue of Theseus">''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' – Historical Locations – Skyros: "Statue of Theseus"</ref> | |||
==Legacy== | |||
By the 5th century BCE, the story of Theseus' end was preserved in memory, as the [[Sparta]]n ''[[Mercenary|misthios]]'' [[Kassandra]] visited the site of his death, named [[Hero's Fall]]. Theseus also had an armor [[Theseus Set|set]] allegedly attributed to him and pair of [[Bracers of Theseus|bracers]].<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey''</ref> In 429 BCE, Kassandra visited the ruins of the Knossos Palace, encountering the same labyrinth that Theseus had visited before, spotting the thread he had used to guide himself to the center. She eventually discovered that someone had taken possession of the artifact again and turned had into the Minotaur, slaying the monster thereafter.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
==Behind the scenes== | |||
In some stories, Theseus is counted among the [[Argonauts]]. The mural featuring Theseus sitting is based on the {{Wiki|File:Reconstruction_of_Nekyia_by_Polygnotus.JPG|reconstruction}} of [[Polygnotos]]' ''{{Wiki|Nekyia}}''. The tapestry depicting Theseus and Minotaur in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' is based on a [https://www.theoi.com/Gallery/T34.1.html painting] on a 5th century BCE ''{{Wiki|stamnos}}''. | |||
==Gallery== | ==Gallery== | ||
<gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center"> | <gallery widths="180" position="center" captionalign="center"> | ||
ACOd-mural-Theseus.jpg|A 5th century BCE mural featuring Theseus | |||
ACOd-Theseus&Minotaurbanner.jpg|Tapestry of Theseus slaying the Minotaur | ACOd-Theseus&Minotaurbanner.jpg|Tapestry of Theseus slaying the Minotaur | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
== | ==Appearances== | ||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'' {{c|statue only}} | ||
*''[[Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece]]'' {{Mo}} | |||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR]]'' {{Mdat}} | |||
*''[[Echoes of History]] – Odyssey'' {{Mo}} | |||
== | ==References== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}}<!--[zh:忒修斯]--> | ||
[[Category:Individuals]] | [[Category:Individuals]] | ||
[[Category:Greeks]] | [[Category:Greeks]] | ||
[[Category:Athenians]] | [[Category:Athenians]] | ||
[[Category:Ethnic Greeks]] | [[Category:Ethnic Greeks]] | ||
[[Category:Argonauts]] | |||
[[Category:Kings of Athens]] | [[Category:Kings of Athens]] | ||
[[Category:Greek mythology]] | [[Category:Greek mythology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 03:09, 25 May 2026
Theseus was a legendary hero and the founder as well as a king of Athens in Greek mythology.
Mythology[edit | edit source]
The Minotaur and Ariadne[edit | edit source]
As one of the Greek mythology's legendary heroes, many stories were attached to Theseus. The best known story is possibly of how he slew the Minotaur in the labyrinth below the Knossos Palace in Krete. King Minos of Krete commanded Athenians to send fourteen of their finest men and women annually to feed to the beast.[1] In time, this included Theseus, who swore to slay the Minotaur.[2]
When Theseus arrived in Krete, he met Minos' daughter, Ariadne. They fell in love, and Ariadne gave Theseus thread to help him find his way in the labyrinth.[2] He entered the massive complex, using the cord to reach its center and eventually slayed the beast. Its body dropped a strange artifact and quickly faded into the desiccated corpse of its previous wielder, who had the beast's form. The hero left the labytinth, leaving the golden orb behind.[3] After Theseus' success, Ariadne joined him on his ship, and they set sail for Athens together. However, they stopped at Naxos Island to celebrate. Theseus left the island alone, either because he abandoned Ariadne, or because she forgot to return to his ship in time.[2][4] Before leaving for Krete, Theseus had promised his father, king Aegeus, to have the sails of his ship changed from black to white if he was successful. However, Theseus forgot to do this, and thus his father cast himself into the sea, believing his son was dead.[2]
Phaidra and Hippolytos[edit | edit source]
Later on, Theseus married Phaidra. However, she fell in love with Theseus' son, Hippolytos. When the feelings weren't mutual, Phaidra told Theseus that Hippolytos had violated her, and in anger Theseus invoked the god Poseidon. Poseidon sent a sea monster, and Hippolytos died in the Sinkholes of Herakles region of Argolis while driving in his chariot.[5]
Other adventures[edit | edit source]
Theseus was said to have killed the Argive bandit Periphetes,[6] the king of Eleusis Kerkyon,[7] as well as Sinis,[8] and caused the deaths of the Amazons Antiope[9] and Hippolyta.[10] Theseus also helped king Adrastos bury the Seven Against Thebes.[11] At some point, Medea attempted to poison Theseus.[12]
Final years[edit | edit source]
After his adventures, Theseus returned to Athens to reclaim his home, but found that the city had been seized by the rival factions. Deciding to leave the city, Theseus returned to Skyros, where he was betrayed by King Lykomedes and thrown off a cliff to his death.[13]
Legacy[edit | edit source]
By the 5th century BCE, the story of Theseus' end was preserved in memory, as the Spartan misthios Kassandra visited the site of his death, named Hero's Fall. Theseus also had an armor set allegedly attributed to him and pair of bracers.[14] In 429 BCE, Kassandra visited the ruins of the Knossos Palace, encountering the same labyrinth that Theseus had visited before, spotting the thread he had used to guide himself to the center. She eventually discovered that someone had taken possession of the artifact again and turned had into the Minotaur, slaying the monster thereafter.[3]
Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]
In some stories, Theseus is counted among the Argonauts. The mural featuring Theseus sitting is based on the reconstruction of Polygnotos' Nekyia. The tapestry depicting Theseus and Minotaur in Assassin's Creed: Odyssey is based on a painting on a 5th century BCE stamnos.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
A 5th century BCE mural featuring Theseus -
Tapestry of Theseus slaying the Minotaur
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (statue only)
- Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR (mentioned in Database entry only)
- Echoes of History – Odyssey (mentioned only)
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece – Tours: Knossos: "Reparation"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Discovery Tour: Ancient Greece – Tours: Knossos: "The Minotaur's Death"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – He Waits
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Historical Locations – Naxos Island: "Deathbed of Ariadne"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Historical Locations – Argolis: "Chariot of Hippolytos"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Historical Locations – Argolis: "Bronze Club of Periphetes"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Historical Locations – Attika: "Kerkyon Wrestling Ground"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Historical Locations – Korinthia: "Sinis Torture Grounds"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Historical Locations – Attika: "Memorial of the Amazons"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Historical Locations – Megaris: "Tomb of the Amazons"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Historical Locations – Attika: "Tomb of the Epigones"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – The Long Game
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey – Historical Locations – Skyros: "Statue of Theseus"
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey