One of the most popular heroes of Greek and Roman
mythology is Theseus, King of Athens. Theseus was born to King Aegeus of Athens
and Aethra of Troezen. Theseus is most known for performing the Six Labors, the
slaying of the Minotaur, and freeing Athens from Mino’s influence. Theseus is
renowned by most ancient authors, who all appreciate his contribution to
mythology. The stories surrounding Theseus’ character allude to prevalent human
issues, including courage, strength, leadership, misogyny, and impulsivity.
Theseus, like all mythological heroes, displayed incredible courage and strength to conquer difficult tasks. He is most noted for the Six Labors which included incredible feats of strength and bravery, like the wrestling match with Cercyon (whom he defeated and relieved the area of the unreasonable tradition). Similarly, Theseus freed the city of Athens from having to sacrifice fourteen Athenian youths to the Minotaur on the island of Crete by slaying the beast himself.[1] Theseus is also noted for his astute leadership. Upon ending the tradition of sending tributes to Crete, he dedicated the next few years to transforming Athens into the greatest city-state of Greece. He replaced his father Aegeus as king and unified Athens. He implemented a democratic system to give all his citizens a voice. He encouraged all newcomers to Athens, thus turning it into a mecca of prosperity and innovation. He was regarded highly by the citizens and the patron goddess Athena for his just way of ruling throughout his reign.[2]
Aside from bringing prosperity to Athens and defeating monsters, Theseus’ other accomplishments were far from glorious. Although many ancient authors wrote about him in such a way that ignored his faults, he had many disagreeable traits as well. Some writings featuring Theseus indicate a misogynistic attitude. He readily abandons Ariadne (and her sister Phaedra in some versions) alone on an island after she aided him in his defeat of the Minotaur. [3] Theseus also kidnapped Helen[4], planning to hold her captive until their marriage. He made the decision to aid his friend Pirithous in finding a bride as well, and joined him in the Underworld in the hopes of kidnapping Persephone, too. The continual mistreatment of women may be glossed over in ancient texts because of societal norms at the time, but it poses a problem today because of the focus on gender equality. It was not unusual for a hero to be with multiple women when he needed their assistance. This is apparent when he promises Ariadne marriage when she showed him the string that led out of the labyrinth, and then abandoning her on their way back to Athens.
Theseus demonstrated impulsiveness throughout many stories. His impulsive actions, in general, turn out for the better, but when he has the time to contemplate his future actions, he often makes poor decisions that have disastrous results. His decision to help Pirithous in the Underworld ended disastrously when he was trapped by Hades, and made to wait for Heracles to come by and save him.[5] In addition, he forgets to raise the white sails upon his return to Athens, signaling to his father that he did not survive the journey, leading him to commit suicide in despair. In Hippolytus, he also chooses to believe one of his many wives, Phaedra, over his son about the true cause of Phaedra’s death.[6] In the same text, as well as Phaedra, he immediately uses one of his wishes to demand a gruesome punishment to his son Hippolytus for his supposed offence, without knowing if he was really responsible.[7]
As Theseus got older, he made more and more rash decisions. He kidnapped an Amazon queen, thus starting a devastating war with the Amazons. Following the kidnapping of Helen and the ensuing war with Sparta, Theseus' previous good deeds were soon forgotten and he was exiled to Scyros where he died. Eventually, the anger Athens felt toward Theseus diminished and they revered him as their hero once more. Because of his remarkable actions in his prime, ancient literature and art portrays Theseus as the hero he was in his earlier days. Isocrates’ Encomium of Helen completely omits any of Theseus’s wrongdoings in order to make him appear more heroic.[8] Oedipus at Colonus introduces him as a just and caring individual who is able to pity even Oedipus after his crimes.[9] In death, Theseus’ legacy was not tainted with his mistakes. Instead, writers chose to speak only of his greatness.[10] thus making Theseus one of the greatest Greek heroes to the modern reader.
[1] Plutarch, “Theseus”
[2] Shapiro, H. A. “Theseus: Aspects of the Hero in Archaic Greek”
[3] Michalopoulos, Andreas N., “Ovid ‘Heroides’ 10.1-4: Ariadne's ΜΙΤΟΣ”
[4] “Helen” Mortal Women of the Trojan War
[5] “Herakles (Hercules) and Theseus.” University of Mary Washington
[6] Euripides, Hippolytus
[7] Seneca, Phaedra. Trans. Emily Wilson
[8] Isocrates, Encomium of Helen
[9] Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus
[10] Stadter, Philip A. “The Proems of Plutarch’s Lives”
Theseus, like all mythological heroes, displayed incredible courage and strength to conquer difficult tasks. He is most noted for the Six Labors which included incredible feats of strength and bravery, like the wrestling match with Cercyon (whom he defeated and relieved the area of the unreasonable tradition). Similarly, Theseus freed the city of Athens from having to sacrifice fourteen Athenian youths to the Minotaur on the island of Crete by slaying the beast himself.[1] Theseus is also noted for his astute leadership. Upon ending the tradition of sending tributes to Crete, he dedicated the next few years to transforming Athens into the greatest city-state of Greece. He replaced his father Aegeus as king and unified Athens. He implemented a democratic system to give all his citizens a voice. He encouraged all newcomers to Athens, thus turning it into a mecca of prosperity and innovation. He was regarded highly by the citizens and the patron goddess Athena for his just way of ruling throughout his reign.[2]
Aside from bringing prosperity to Athens and defeating monsters, Theseus’ other accomplishments were far from glorious. Although many ancient authors wrote about him in such a way that ignored his faults, he had many disagreeable traits as well. Some writings featuring Theseus indicate a misogynistic attitude. He readily abandons Ariadne (and her sister Phaedra in some versions) alone on an island after she aided him in his defeat of the Minotaur. [3] Theseus also kidnapped Helen[4], planning to hold her captive until their marriage. He made the decision to aid his friend Pirithous in finding a bride as well, and joined him in the Underworld in the hopes of kidnapping Persephone, too. The continual mistreatment of women may be glossed over in ancient texts because of societal norms at the time, but it poses a problem today because of the focus on gender equality. It was not unusual for a hero to be with multiple women when he needed their assistance. This is apparent when he promises Ariadne marriage when she showed him the string that led out of the labyrinth, and then abandoning her on their way back to Athens.
Theseus demonstrated impulsiveness throughout many stories. His impulsive actions, in general, turn out for the better, but when he has the time to contemplate his future actions, he often makes poor decisions that have disastrous results. His decision to help Pirithous in the Underworld ended disastrously when he was trapped by Hades, and made to wait for Heracles to come by and save him.[5] In addition, he forgets to raise the white sails upon his return to Athens, signaling to his father that he did not survive the journey, leading him to commit suicide in despair. In Hippolytus, he also chooses to believe one of his many wives, Phaedra, over his son about the true cause of Phaedra’s death.[6] In the same text, as well as Phaedra, he immediately uses one of his wishes to demand a gruesome punishment to his son Hippolytus for his supposed offence, without knowing if he was really responsible.[7]
As Theseus got older, he made more and more rash decisions. He kidnapped an Amazon queen, thus starting a devastating war with the Amazons. Following the kidnapping of Helen and the ensuing war with Sparta, Theseus' previous good deeds were soon forgotten and he was exiled to Scyros where he died. Eventually, the anger Athens felt toward Theseus diminished and they revered him as their hero once more. Because of his remarkable actions in his prime, ancient literature and art portrays Theseus as the hero he was in his earlier days. Isocrates’ Encomium of Helen completely omits any of Theseus’s wrongdoings in order to make him appear more heroic.[8] Oedipus at Colonus introduces him as a just and caring individual who is able to pity even Oedipus after his crimes.[9] In death, Theseus’ legacy was not tainted with his mistakes. Instead, writers chose to speak only of his greatness.[10] thus making Theseus one of the greatest Greek heroes to the modern reader.
[1] Plutarch, “Theseus”
[2] Shapiro, H. A. “Theseus: Aspects of the Hero in Archaic Greek”
[3] Michalopoulos, Andreas N., “Ovid ‘Heroides’ 10.1-4: Ariadne's ΜΙΤΟΣ”
[4] “Helen” Mortal Women of the Trojan War
[5] “Herakles (Hercules) and Theseus.” University of Mary Washington
[6] Euripides, Hippolytus
[7] Seneca, Phaedra. Trans. Emily Wilson
[8] Isocrates, Encomium of Helen
[9] Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus
[10] Stadter, Philip A. “The Proems of Plutarch’s Lives”