The Myth Of Theseus

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the development of Theseus and his myth which resulted in his becoming a founder-hero, credited with uniting the tribes of Attica to form the Athenian polis. The writer explains how the story of Theseus grew and was modified as the city he represented grew and was re-created after Athens' own ideals and in her own image. Plutarch's "Life of Theseus" already shows developments and additions as it relates variants, some conflicting, of some of Theseus' actions. Many of these changes attempt to explain certain less than heroic actions by Theseus, and others are aimed at representing Theseus as the Heracles of Attica. The writer concludes that the incorporation of Theseus in recent novels shows that the myth still posses qualities that are of interest to modern society.

From the Paper:

"Perhaps the most well-known and recognized adventure or deed of Theseus was his battle with the Cretan Minotaur. This event is also shown to have been added to, changed and developed as different writers have told their own story and present us with a number of different variants. Plutarch presents us first with the view in which he says "most writers agree on" . This was that tribute was given from the Athenians to the Cretans; in this the Athenians were to give seven youths and seven maidens every nine years . Without going into any great detail, Plutarch notes here that the "most dramatic" of the stories declare that these youths and maidens were destroyed by the Minotaur, which lived inside a labyrinth."

Sample of Sources Used:

• W. Den Boer, 'Theseus: The Growth of a Myth in History', Greece & Rome, Vol. 16 No. 1 (1969), pp. 1-13
• John N. Davie, Theseus the King in Fifth-Century Athens, Greece & Rome, Vol. 29, No. 1 (1982), pp. 25-34
• Walter R. Agard, 'Theseus. A National hero', The Classical Journal, Vol. 24, No.2 (1928), pp. 84-91
• Stephan L. Harris & Gloria Platzner, Classical Mythology Images & Insights, Fifth Edition (New York, 2008)
• Henry J. Walker, Theseus and Athens, (US, 2005)

More papers on The Myth Of Theseus:

• Book Review # 50197 : "The Bull from the Sea"
• Research Paper # 17364 : "Greek Myth as History"
• Book Review # 21650 : " Henshall's "The Myth of Absolutism, Change and Continuity in Early Modern European Monarchy","

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