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Transcript
CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY | CLASS 20: NOV 12, 2014 The Labors of Theseus. A/c red-‐figure kylix, ca. 475 B.C. THESEUS DR. MICHAEL GRIFFIN CLASSICS & PHILOSOPHY S O C R AT E S . A R T S . U B C . C A / 1 0 5 AT H E N S A N D A E G E U S • The Athenians claimed to be autochthonous (‘from the earth itself’, i.e., indigenous to their land); compare the Spartoi of Thebes • Aegeus of Athens (MLS 596) – a descendent of the first kings Erechtheus and Cecrops – was challenged by his brother for rulership of Athens. • Aegeus was childless. He consulted the Delphic oracle, who advised him “not to undo the wineskin’s mouth” until he returned home. • Pittheus of Troezen (who was hosting him) grasps the advice, gets Aegeus very drunk, and presents him with his own daughter, Aethra. THESEUS • When Aegeus leaves, he leaves instructions for Aethra. • If they have a son, she must not tell him his father’s identity. • Instead, when he is old enough to lift a certain large stone – under which Aegeus leaves a sword and sandals – she must send him to Athens. THESEUS • Indeed Theseus is born, and grows up with Aethra before learning his true identity. • He travels to Athens for his destiny after discovering the sword and sandals. • Along the way, he faces a series of labours (compare Heracles). The Labors of Theseus. A/c red-‐figure kylix, ca. 475 B.C. THESEUS • At Epidaurus, he slays Periphetes, who was killing travellers. • At Corinth, he slays Sinis, a robber who tended to tie his victims to the ends of two pine saplings, bent to the ground, then release the trees. • Between Corinth and the Megarid, he slays a monstrous she-pig (sow). THESEUS • The brigand Sciron blocks the path to the Megrid and compels victims to wash his feet – after which he kicks them into the sea. Theseus kills him by his own methods. • At Eleusis near Athens, Theseus faces Cercyon, who kills travellers by wrestling. Theseus bests him. • Finally, Theseus defeats Procrustes, who cuts travelers (or stretches them) to fit a bed. The cycle of Theseus’ labors was oBen painted on Athenian vases, especially drinking cups (kylikes), in the fiBh century. This cup is unusual in that the cycle is painted (almost idenJcally, except for the Minotaur) on both the exterior and interior. The interior, with the Minotaur at the center, is shown here. StarJng at the top and going in a clockwise direcJon the labors are: (1) Cercyon; (2) Procrustes; (3) Sciron (note the turtle); (4) the bull of Marathon; (5) Sinis (Pityocamptes); (6) the sow of Crommyon. At the center Theseus drags the dying Minotaur out of the Labyrinth THESEUS • On arriving, Theseus is recognized by Aegeus (MLS 598). Aegeus’ wife Medea recognizes him first, and sees him as a rival to her son. • Aegeus recognizes him just in time, before Medea poisons Theseus. • Next, he catches the bull of Marathon… THESEUS • And finally faces the Minotaur Picasso, death of a monster on Crete, where Theseus goes together with a tribute of children to face the Cretan king, Minos, and the fearsome minotaur who guards his Labyrinth. THESEUS • Theseus is saved by the king’s daughter Ariadne, who gives him a golden thread to escape the impossible labyrinth built by Daedalus. • Theseus may have left Ariadne, in their mutual escape, on Naxos – but Dionysus rescues her and they are married! THESEUS • He forgets to raise the white sail to tell Aegeus that they have won and come home safe, and Aegeus throws himself into the sea. • Theseus becomes king.
