Written by: Calli DeManiro
Issue: #003
Hello all and welcome to Out of the Ruins, We Go! 's third post. This blog is all about ancient Greek minor and major gods/goddesses, heroes, myths, and more! I'll be sharing some facts about their backgrounds, and then other fun facts about them!
This week, we're not going to be focusing on a god/ess at all! In fact, we're going to be learning about a hero. He's related to an Olympian, and you might know him... the all-mighty, Theseus!
Let's start from the very beginning, yes?
Aegeus, the king of Athens, was newly wedded with a beautiful woman named Aethra. After having lain with Aegus on their wedding night, Aethra decided to take a stroll in the moonlight.
Just then, Aethra was seduced by the god of the sea and earthquakes, Poseidon. She ended up pregnant with the gods son. Thus, Thesus was born, blessed to be a human with divine abilitles - a demi-god.
Sincerely,
Apparently, Aegeus didn't need a wife, only a heir. So, he returned back to Athens after Theseus' birth. What a great husband... However, before he left, Aegeus left a sword and sandals underneath a big rock. He then told Aethra to send Thesus to the rock when he was srtong enough physically to lift the rock, and strong enough mentally to figure out his royal lineage.
The hero grew up in the city of Troezen under the care of Aethra and Pittheus, his grandfather.
When it was the right time, Aethra told Thesus about his fate. Just as he was about to journey forwards, Pittheus advised him: "don't travel on sketchy roads, and take shorter and safer sea-route's to Athens." Now, I'm sure he didn't say it like that, but you get the idea!
But, Thesus was too strong-willed to listen to that. Instead, he chose the most dangerous land-route around the Saronic Gulf. He encountered a compelation of trials soon enough.
Theseus' most famous trail was the Minotaur.
Athens had been facing a tradegy for the past couple of decades. Aegeus had been paying "taxes" to King Minos of Crete after Athens had lost to Crete in a war.
Every year, a group of young men and women were sent out to try and defeat the Minotaur, a half-man half-bull creature; thus far, no one had succeded.
Despite Aegeus' protests, Theseus voltunteered himself. He continued onwards, setting sail on the ship with the other maidens and males. He consulted an oracle, which told him to make Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, his protoness. After making his scarifices, Theseus continued onto his journey to slay the Minotaur.
And that, my friends, is the story of Theseus. Now, let's get onto to more interesting parts, yes?
Theseus is actually considered a semigod because he has two fathers and mother, and one father is Poseidon. I gues that's some of you readers as well, yes? Comment if you're one!
You know that myth I was talking about with the Minotaur, right? Well, legend states that Theseus actually defeated it! Go him!! That must've been hard. He also experienced five other trials on his journey to Athens.
The current day Aegean Sea was actually named after his human father — Or step-father... comment which one you think fits better!
After the death of his wife and son, Thesus lost his crown as King of Athens.
Sites used:
- https://www.greeka.com/attica/at
hens/myths/theseus/
- https://greekgodsandgoddesses.n
et/heroes/theseus/
