EnglishGreekDeutschFrenchItalianRussian
Crete TOURnet: Home Crete Guide Mythology of Crete Theseus, Ariadne, and the Minotaur

Theseus, Ariadne, and the Minotaur

Theseus was the son of Aegeus, King of Athens. Theseus pitied the youths and maidens being sent for sacrifice to Crete and decided to go himself. If he could slay the Minotaur with his bare hands, the tribute would be remitted.
Minos’ daughter Ariadne immediately fell in love with Theseus. She gave him a thread, which he would tie to the door of the Labyrinth and unravel until he reached the place where the Minotaur was sleeping. Theseus killed the Minotaur, although it is disputed whether he killed it with his bare hands or with a sword given to him by Ariadne. He then used the thread to find his way back to the entrance to the Labyrinth.
Theseus and Ariadne escaped from Crete; but on the way to Athens, Theseus deserted Ariadne on the island of Naxos and the god Dionysos married her immediately.