Fact #7 Theseus Was A Jerk

We’ve all heard the story about how Theseus bravely ventured into the Labyrinth on Krete and slew the Minotaur, saving the city’s people from the burden of sacrifice. What’s rarely told are the stories about what a jerk Theseus really was. The labyrinth that the Minotaur called home was a massive maze designed by Daidalos—no one had ever found their way out. The only reason Theseus did was that he had help from Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos. Ariadne had a magical ball of golden thread that allowed Theseus to find his way out again.

After the Minotaur was dead, Theseus left Krete with the princess who had saved his life—and then abandoned her on the island of Naxos when she fell asleep. According to some stories, Ariadne had a happy ending when she married the god Dionysus and was granted immortality—or she was killed by Artemis. Either way, Theseus is still a jerk, and had already had some children with a few other women.

And let’s not forget that Theseus forgot to hoist a red sail on his ship upon his return from Krete, a signal to his father that he was safe. His father, not seeing the signal, threw himself from the cliff in despairing suicide. Theseus is also given credit for founding Athens. According to Plutarch, Theseus decided that there was no better way to populate his young city than by raping the women, earning him the eternal hatred of his newfound kin.