Theseus
in heroic history, a King of Athens, and the son of Ægeus by Æthra, the daughter of Pittheus, was educated at the house of his father-in-law at Troezen. On arriving at years of maturity he was sent by his mother to Athens, a sword being given him by which he might make himself known to Ægeus. On his way from Træzen he destroyed Corynetes, Sigomis, Sciron, Cercyon, Procrustes, and the celebrated Phæa. He was not well received at Athens, and Medea attempted to poison him before his arrival was publicly known. The Palatides, who attempted to assassinate him, he put to death by his own hand. He next destroyed the bull of Marathon; and at Crete, by means of Ariadne who was enamored of him, he killed the Minotaur, and thereby redeemed the Athenians from the annual tribute of seven chosen youths and as many virgins to be devoured by the monster. On ascending his father's throne he ruled the Athenians with mildness, made new laws and regulations, and by his policy won the friendship of the King of the Lapithæ. Theseus, in conjunction with Pirithous, carried off Helen, the daughter of Leda, but whom he was compelled to restore. While he was in captivity, Mnestheus obtained the crown, and Theseus on his return attempted to eject the usurper, but, failing, he retired to the court of Lycomedes, a king of the THESPESIA island of Scyros, who, jealous of his fame, carried him to a high rock and threw him down a precipice. The children of Theseus, after the death of Mnestheus, recovered the Athenian throne.