King Cecrops founded a city in Attica and needed a name
Athena and Poseidon both came to lay their patronage on the city
Poseidon struck the Acropolis with a trident and offered salt spring water
Athena planted an olive tree
Zeus and Cecrops judged, Athena's gift was deemed more useful, hence the name 'Athens'
The Erechtheion:
Temple on the Acropolis dedicated to Athena, Poseidon, and legendary King of Athens (Erechtheus)
Contains a well where Poseidon struck with his trident, a small garden with the olive tree Athena planted, and tombs of King Cecrops and Erechtheus
The Adventures of Theseus:
Theseus, King of Athens, united Attica and instituted great reforms
Theseus' Birth:
Aegeus, King of Athens, consulted an oracle for an heir
Pittheus interpreted the riddle and helped Aegeus conceive a son with his daughter Aethra, Theseus
Theseus had both godly and mortal characteristics due to Poseidon's involvement
Theseus proved his worthiness by retrieving Aegeus' sandals and sword from undera rock
Theseus' Labours:
Theseus completed various labours including defeating bandits, a fierce pig, and a bull from Crete
He also killed the Minotaur with the help of Minos' daughter Ariadne
Theseus as King of Athens:
Theseus united conflicting towns of Attica under Athens' allegiance
Introduced democracy and initiated the Panathenaic Games to unite the religions of the area
The Founding of the Roman Race:
Venus fell in love with Anchises in Troy and bore Aeneas
Aeneas fled Troy with the household Gods and lost his wife, later marrying Lavina in Italy
Aeneas' descendants, including Romulus and Remus, founded Rome
The Founding of Rome:
Romulus and Remus, raised by a she-wolf, overthrew Amilius and built Rome
Romulus killed Remus and named the city 'Rome'
Romans and Sabine tribe fought until the women intervened and peace was made
Plutarch Parallel Lives - Theseus and Romulus:
Plutarch compares Theseus and Romulus in terms of their deeds, leadership, misfortunes, achievements, relationships with family and women
Plutarch views Theseus as more admirable for his deeds, leadership, and relationships
what things did theseus do as king of athens?
united the conflictingtowns of attica, introduced democracy and the panathenaicgames
what does the erechtheion contain?
a well, garden and tombs of kingcecrops and erechtheus
Aegeus
King of Athens
Pittheus
King of Troezen
Aegeus' conception of Theseus
1. Aegeus consulted oracle
2. Pittheus interpreted riddle
3. Pittheus got Aegeus drunk
4. Aegeus slept with Pittheus' daughter Aethra
Aethra received a message in her dream to go to the island of Sphairia where Poseidon emerged to sleep with her, causing Theseus to have both godly and mortal characteristics
Aegeus' plan for Theseus
1. Aegeus left sandals and sword under a rock
2. Told Aethra Theseus must retrieve them to prove he is worthy heir
3. Theseus easily retrieved the items
Theseus wanted to equal Heracles' achievements
Theseus chose the dangerous route to Athens
Theseus' Labours
1. Perphetes
2. Sinis
3. Crommyonian Sow
4. Sciron
5. Cercyon
6. Procrustes
7. Bull of Marathon
8. The Minotaur
Ariadne
Minos' daughter who helped Theseus kill the Minotaur
Possible reasons as to why Theseus left Ariadne on the island of Naxos
Ariadne was pregnant with Theseus' son
Theseus fell in love with another woman
Athena told Theseus in a dream that Dionysus picked Ariadne as his bride
When sailing back to Athens, Theseus forgot to change the sail from black to white, causing King Aegeus to throw himself off a cliff and die