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King Theseus Research Paper

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pp. 155-165 “Theseus” Theseus, son of Athenian king Aegeus, was raised in a city near southern Greece. His mother was told by his father that if he was born a boy and became strong enough to move a boulder that guarded a sword and a pair of shoes, he could come back to Athens and claim that he is the son of Aegeus. Theseus accomplished this task easily and was ready to set off for Athens. His grandfather had a ship prepared to take him straight to Athens; however, just like his cousin Hercules, Theseus wanted to prove himself as a great hero and take risks. Theseus walked to Athens and killed every bandit in site; killing them in the ways that they killed their victims. Upon his arrival to Athens, Theseus was treated like a hero and caused the king to worry that this hero, who he didn't know was his son, …show more content…

Medea, from the story of the Golden Fleece, knew who Theseus was and wanted to keep her influence on the king, so she persuaded Aegeus to poison his son. Before Aegeus could give Theseus the poison, Theseus presented the sword his father left for him and while Aegeus embraced his son, dropping the cup of poison to the floor, Medea escaped to Asia. Aegeus confessed to his son that before his arrival, he sent the son of Minos, the ruler of Crete, on a dangerous mission to hunt a bull. The bull killed the son causing Minos to demand that every nine years, seven youths and seven maidens be sacrificed to the mighty Minotaur. Theseus decided to be one of the chosen sacrifices in order to kill the Minotaur. Minos' daughter, Ariadne, falls in love with Theseus and tells him that if he takes her back to Athens and marries her, she will help him escape the Minotaur's lair. He used a ball of

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