Women, Weird and Wonderful: Aithra/Aethra, mother of Theseus

When Aithra was freed after 20 years of slavery, she couldn’t even remember how freedom was supposed to feel. She had been a princess once. She had been loved by a powerful god, and she had born him a son, Theseus. She had followed an ancient prophecy and let her boy go to become the prince of Athens. She had witnessed him growing in his role, blending in with the arrogant youth of his privileged class. Allthough shocked, she had agreed to look after the Spartan princess he kidnapped, just because he loved to possess all things beautiful. And beautiful she was, this Helen. As she had suspected, Theseus had not defended her, when the girl’s brothers came to rescue Helen, and take her into slavery. Ten years in Sparta, and when Helen eloped to Troy, another ten years in that  god forsaken place. And now, Troy had fallen, and Helen would just go home, and be a queen again. Aithra no longer had a home, and would never be a king’s mother again. She gained her freedom, but without a sense of belonging, it meant nothing.

Abduction of Helen, Guido Reni, Musée du Louvre, Paris, France

Helen's First Abduction, Amphora, Polygnotos painter,

National Archaeological Museum of Athens, Greece

Did you know?

• About Theseus and Aithra/Aethra: “Poseidon’s Bull”, “Paradoxes”, “A Mixed Marriage”, “The Wineskin”.