Theseus and the Minotaur
Theseus and the Minotaur is a Greek myth about entering a labyrinth, confronting its inhabitant and finding a way back out. Ariadne's assistance connects the journey into the enclosed space with the possibility of return.
Story Summary
The following summary follows the account in the Epitome of the Library attributed to Apollodorus, sections 1.7-1.10.
- Theseus travels from Athens to Crete among the young people sent to the Minotaur.
- His father, Aegeus, tells him to replace the ship's black sails with white ones if he returns alive.
- Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos, offers help in exchange for Theseus's promise to take her to Athens and marry her.
- She consults Daedalus about the way out of the labyrinth and provides Theseus with thread.
- Theseus fastens the thread at the entrance and takes it into the labyrinth with him.
- He finds and kills the Minotaur, then uses the thread to make his way out.
- Theseus leaves Crete with Ariadne and the rescued young people. In this account, Dionysus takes Ariadne away from Naxos.
- Theseus forgets to change the sails. Aegeus sees the black sails, believes his son has died and falls to his death.
Apollodorus: Library, Epitome 1.7-1.10
Background to the Story
The Minotaur combines a human body with a bull's face. The Library, Book 3, describes Minos confining him in a labyrinth constructed by Daedalus. Its winding arrangement makes the outward route difficult to find. Apollodorus: Library, Book 3
Ancient accounts differ about Ariadne's fate. Plutarch discusses competing traditions, including accounts of abandonment and of her relationship with Dionysus. These differences matter when comparing retellings: the departure from Crete does not have one uniform continuation. Ancient passages about Ariadne
Images and Movement in the Story
The following observations describe the story's arrangement and offer possible points for comparison with other narratives.
- Entrance and return: Reaching the centre and getting out again are separate parts of the journey.
- A continuous connection: The thread preserves a connection with the entrance while Theseus moves further inside.
- Help from outside: Ariadne and Daedalus contribute knowledge and equipment to Theseus's journey.
- A signal at a distance: The returning ship is visible before its passengers can explain what happened. The unchanged sails communicate the wrong outcome.
Related Pages
Mazes and Labyrinths, Monsters, Paths and Trails, Ties and Binds, Ships.