Greek Myths XS: The Homecoming of Theseus of Athens

When the Athenian girl Aithra received a divine message that she would give birth to the son of almighty god Poseidon, she had a hard time believing it. How could this have happened? Had her dream about the god been real? And what about Aigeus, king of Athens, who was supposed to be the father of the child? Totally confused, she told Aigeus about the annunciation, and together, they decided that Aithra should move away, to provide the child with a normal childhood. Aigeus left his sword and sandals under a rock, and instructed Aithra that the boy, whom they called Theseus, should come to him, when he had the strength to move the stone. When the time came, Theseus went to Athens, but didn’t immediately show the tokens of his parenthood. The sorceress Medeia, queen at the time, convinced Aigeus it was all a plot against the son they had together, and attempted to poison him. When Theseus reached for the cup, Aigeus recognised his sword, and warned him in the nick of time. Which was just as well, because there was this Cretan minotaur to slay.

Medea, Aegeus and Theseus, Charles Flint,

illustration for "The Heroes or Greek Fairy Tales for my children" (Charles Kingsley)

Theseus recognised by his father, Antoine-Placide Gilbert,

Musée des Beaux-Arts, Bordeaux, France

Random Facts:

• The name of Aegeus' and Medeia's son is Mèdos (sometimes Polyxenos).

• On his journey to Athens, Theseus cleared the roads from villains like Periphetes, Sinis, Skeiron, Kerkyon and Prokroustes