![Theseus killing the Minotaur, detail of a vase painting by the Kleophrades Painter, 6th century &elipsis; [Credit: Courtesy of the trustees of the British Museum]](http://images.bookrags.com/images/eb/26711.gif)
Theseus killing the Minotaur, detail of a vase painting by the Kleophrades Painter, 6th century &elipsis; [Credit: Courtesy of the trustees of the British Museum]Hero of ancient Greek legend. He was the son of Aegeus, king of Athens. On his journey to Athens, he slew many legendary villains, including Sinis, Sciron, and Procrustes. In Athens he found Aegeus married to
Medea; she recognized him before her husband did and tried to poison him but failed, and Aegeus declared him heir to the throne.
In Crete Theseus met Ariadne and slew the Minotaur; on returning to Athens, he forgot to replace the ship's black sail with a white one signaling his victory, and Aegeus threw himself from the Acropolis in grief. Theseus went on to unite and extend the borders of Attica. He captured the Amazon princess Antiope (Hippolyte), with the result that the Amazons attacked Athens and Antiope was killed while defending it. He abducted the child Helen and attempted to steal Persephone from Hades, but he was confined in the underworld until his rescue by Heracles. He died when the king of Scyros threw him from a cliff.
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