Greek Mythology: Aegeus the King of Athens

Aegeus is one another more overlooked character in Greek mythology. His life story is one of dire interest and mystery, which begins from his birth of Pandion, king of Athens. He appears in different parts of mythology, never laying any true foundation until his later years as he became king.[1]

It is said that Aegeus married twice from never being able to conceive a child. After many failed attempts, Aegeus laid faith in an oracle, which proposed a magical solution to being able to bare a Greek heroic child. His friend, Pittheus, having learned of this, forced Aegeus into inebriation and allowing him to bed his daughter, Aethra.[2]

Once he learned of his actions the next morning, Aegeus placed a sword and pair of sandals underneath a large boulder. He informed Aethra that if she could conceive a son who could remove the boulder, she was to bring him to Athens when ready to become a warrior and king.[3]

Theseus, the son conceived by Aethra, reached manhood, moved the boulder, and came to Athens in search of his father, Aegeus. But, his reunited moment with his father came with a twist. Aegeus had remarried to a magician named Medea, who conceived Aegeus' second child, Medus.[4]

Medea did everything in her power to hinder Theseus, such as placing him danger with the bull of Marathon. But, Aegeus in the end recognized is son and embraced Theseus. This did not stop Medea, who retreated to her native lands near the Black Sea. She continued to offer Theseus dangerous tasks, which he gladly accepted.[5]

One mission, resulted in the death of Aegeus indirectly. Theseus was sent to slay a Minotaur, a yearly activity for one warrior in Athens. Upon his return his ship was change their black sail to white if they were successful. If unsuccessful they were to keep the black sail raised, meaning Theseus was dead. [6]

Theseus, the hero that he was, went to the Minotaur's lair and slew him easily. Unfortunately in his excitement, Theseus failed to change his sail to white, signaling his victory. Instead it flew black, signaling his death. During his arrival to Athens, Aegeus witnessed the black sail and jumped to his death.[7]