Parents: Aegeus (or Poseidon) and Aethra

Childhood: Theseus grew up in Troezen with his mother Aethra, not knowing who his father was. When he was old enough, his mother led him to a great rock. Beneath it, Theseus found a sword and sandals left by his father Aegeus, and set off for Athens to claim his birthright.

Story: Theseus is best known for his journey into the Labyrinth on the island of Crete to face the Minotaur — a half-man, half-bull monster that fed on human sacrifices. Athens was forced to send fourteen young men and women to be devoured by the Minotaur every nine years. Theseus volunteered to go and, with the help of Princess Ariadne who gave him a ball of thread to find his way back, he entered the maze, slew the Minotaur, and led the other Athenians to freedom. He went on to become the legendary king of Athens and was considered the city's greatest hero.

The Journey to Athens: Instead of taking the safe sea route to Athens, young Theseus chose the dangerous land road to prove himself a hero. Along the way, he defeated six notorious bandits and monsters that terrorized travelers. He killed Periphetes, who bludgeoned travelers with a bronze club. He defeated Sinis, who bent pine trees to tear people apart. He slew the monstrous Crommyonian Sow. He threw Sciron off a cliff. He defeated Cercyon in a wrestling match, and he killed Procrustes, who stretched or cut travelers to fit his iron bed. By the time Theseus arrived in Athens, he was already famous.

The Minotaur: The Minotaur lived at the center of the Labyrinth beneath the palace of King Minos on Crete — a maze so complex that no one who entered had ever found their way out. Every nine years, Athens was forced to send seven young men and seven young women as sacrifices to the beast. Theseus volunteered as one of the fourteen, determined to end the tribute forever. Princess Ariadne, daughter of Minos, fell in love with Theseus and gave him a ball of golden thread. He tied one end at the entrance and unwound it as he went deeper into the maze. When he found the Minotaur sleeping, he attacked it and killed it with his bare hands. Following the thread back, he led the other Athenians to freedom and escaped Crete by ship.

Symbol: Sword, ball of thread, club.

Represents: Bravery, cleverness, and the founding of Athens.