The Childless King: A Brief Story Of Aegeus The King

Being a childless king, being disrespected by the fifty sons by his brother Pallas. Aegeus, the childless king, came up with the idea of marrying for the second time, in secret, behind his wife’s back. He confessed to Pittheus, king of Troezen, his plan and in his luck, Pittheus had received a “foretelling that his daughter would not make a splendid marriage in the eyes of the world but would bear a son whose name would become famous”(206). After hearing the news, Aegeus married Aethra in a secret ceremony and then headed back to Athens. However, before he left, he laid his sword and sandals under a block of stone saying, “If the Gods favor our marriage, into which I have not entered lightly, but in order to raise up an heir for my house and my realm, if they grant you a son, rear him in secret and tell no one the name of his father. When he is old enough and strong enough to roll away this rock, lead him to this place, let him fetch out the sword and shoes, travel to Athens, and bring them to me”(206). A couple months later, Aethra had a son and she named him Theseus. Theseus was never told who his real father was and his grandfather, Pittheus, spread the rumor that Theseus’s father was Poseidon.

He wanted to be brave so journeyed through land and fought off all the robbers he faced. He saved the people from crete and became a democratic ruler. He was considered a hero in the ancient Greek culture for being more for the people and protecting them. If he was alive today and our president it may be a little different because the military back then is different than now but he will probably a way better president than the one we have now. He is more for the people than caring about being egotistic and powerful. However, I don’t know if Theseus is a real character. I believe there was someone named Theseus. However, I feel that his story seems too good to be