Aegeus Facts for Kids

Aegeus was a famous king in Greek mythology and the father of the brave hero, Theseus. He played a big part in the founding myth of Athens, a very important city in ancient Greece. His story is connected to a sad time when Athens had to send young people to Crete as a sacrifice to the scary Minotaur. This happened because Aegeus had lost a war against Minos, the powerful king of Crete.

Who Was King Aegeus?
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Who Was King Aegeus?

Aegeus was a king of Athens, a powerful city-state in ancient Greece. He was known for his long reign and his connection to some of the most important myths of his time. His life was full of challenges, especially when it came to having a son to take over his kingdom.

A King's Wish for a Son

For a long time, King Aegeus did not have any children, especially a son to become the next king. This was a big worry for him because it meant his kingdom might not have a clear leader after him. He wanted an heir very much. To find answers, he decided to visit the famous Oracle of Delphi. This oracle was a priestess who was believed to speak for the gods and give prophecies about the future.

The Oracle's Prophecy

When Aegeus asked the Oracle about having a son, she gave him a very strange and confusing prophecy. She told him: "Do not loosen the bulging foot of the wineskin until you have reached the highest point of Athens, lest you die of grief." Aegeus didn't understand what this meant at all!

On his way back to Athens, he stopped in the city of Troezen. There, he met King Pittheus, who was very wise and understood the Oracle's mysterious message. Pittheus realized the prophecy meant Aegeus should not have a child until he was safely back in Athens, or else something terrible would happen.

Theseus's Secret Childhood

King Pittheus, however, wanted his daughter, Aethra, to have a child with King Aegeus. So, he made sure Aegeus and Aethra spent time together. As a result, Aethra became pregnant.

Before Aegeus left Troezen to return to Athens, he hid his sword and a pair of sandals under a giant rock. He told Aethra that if she ever had a son, and if that son grew strong enough to lift the rock, he should take the sword and sandals and come to Athens. This way, Aegeus would recognize him as his son. Aethra later gave birth to a son named Theseus, who grew up in Troezen, not knowing who his father was.

Theseus Comes to Athens

When Theseus became a strong young man, Aethra told him about his father and the hidden items. Theseus easily lifted the heavy rock and took the sword and sandals. He then set off on a dangerous journey to Athens to meet his father, King Aegeus.

When Theseus finally arrived in Athens, Aegeus was living with the powerful sorceress Medea. Medea recognized Theseus as a hero and saw him as a threat to her own plans. She tried to convince Aegeus that Theseus was dangerous and should be poisoned. However, just as Theseus was about to drink the poison, Aegeus recognized the sword his son was wearing. It was the same sword he had hidden under the rock years ago! Aegeus quickly knocked the cup away, saving Theseus's life, and finally welcomed his brave son.

The Minotaur's Challenge

At this time, Athens was suffering greatly. Years earlier, King Aegeus had lost a war against King Minos of Crete. As a punishment, Athens had to send seven young men and seven young women to Crete every nine years. These young people were sacrificed to the Minotaur, a terrifying creature with the body of a man and the head of a bull, who lived in a maze called the Labyrinth.

When it was time for the third group of sacrifices to be sent, Theseus bravely volunteered to go. He promised his father that he would kill the Minotaur and end this terrible tribute. Aegeus was very worried but proud of his son's courage.

The Black Sail

As Theseus prepared to sail to Crete, he made a promise to his father. He said that if he succeeded in killing the Minotaur and returning safely, he would change the black sails of his ship to white sails. This way, Aegeus, watching from the Athenian coast, would know from afar that his son was alive and victorious. If the sails remained black, it would mean Theseus had failed and died.

Theseus did succeed in killing the Minotaur, with the help of Minos's daughter, Ariadne. He then sailed back towards Athens with the other young Athenians he had saved. However, in his excitement and joy, Theseus forgot his promise to his father. He forgot to change the black sails to white.

King Aegeus was waiting anxiously on a cliff overlooking the sea. When he saw the ship approaching with its black sails still hoisted, he believed his son had died. Overwhelmed with grief and despair, Aegeus threw himself into the sea and drowned. From that day on, the sea where he died was named the Aegean Sea in his honor.

Theseus returned to Athens as a hero, but his victory was overshadowed by the tragic death of his father.