Theseus

Also known as: famous Cecropian / most valiant hero / son of Ægeus / the Neptunian hero · Family: Greek heroes · Role: hero · First appears: Fable 44

In the earlier fables, Theseus is said to have slain Sisyphus. He is linked to Pittheus as an uncle and to Ægeus as his father; Neptune is his grandfather through Ægeus, and Neleus is named as his brother.

At Athens, Ægeus recognized Theseus by the sword’s ivory hilt and knocked away the poisoned cup prepared by Medea: “Theseus had received the presented cup with unsuspecting right hand, when his father perceived upon the ivory hilt of his sword the tokens of his race.” Medea escaped by raising enchanted clouds. Before and around this time, Theseus slew several notorious robbers, including Procrustes, Cercyon, Sinnis, and Scyron, and he also slew Minerva together with her sons.

Chosen by lot as one of the youths offered to the Minotaur, Theseus killed the monster and escaped the labyrinth with Ariadne’s assistance, then deserted her on the shores of Dia. He was a friend of Pirithoüs, to whom he called, “O thou, dearer to me than myself; stop, thou better part of my soul”; he also travelled with Lelex, accepted the hospitality and advice of Acheloüs, and heard Acheloüs recount the many forms of Proteus.