Aegeus, king of Athens, left the city to marry Aethra, daughter of King Pittheus. Before he might return it was reported to him that Minos, king of Crete, had attacked Athens. King Aegeus realized that he had to go back alone to regain his kingdom.

He led his wife to the top of a hill where, under a huge stone, he had hidden a sword ond sandals for his unborn son. Then he kissed his wife and set out for Athens. Some time later a son was born. His mother named him Theseus.

Theseus learned to ride, shoot arrows, and handle a sword.

After Theseus grew up, his mother took him to the hill where the sword and sandals had been hidden. Theseus lifted the huge stone and saw a jeweled sword and golden sandals.

Then his mother told him that he had to go to Athens to help his father.

Wearing the sword and sandals, Theseus kissed his mother and set out for Athens.

On the first day Theseus met the giant Epidaurus who was carrying a huge, iron club.

Epidaurus, swinging his club, leaped at Theseus as he approached.

Theseus tripped the giant and threw him to the ground. Theseus seized the club and killed him.

A few days later Theseus met the fierce innkeeper named Procrustes.

Procustes had an iron bed which he boasted would fit any guest. He used to cut off the legs of a stranger longer than the bed.

He used to stretch the legs of a shorter guest. No traveler ever left the inn alive.

Procrustes invited Theseus into the inn and suggested to him that he lie down and rest. Theseus asked Procrustes to show him how he could lie on the bed.
 

Procustes lay down. Theseus leaped upon him, tied him to the bed, and killed him.

After many days Theseus reached Athens and was welcomed by his father, who had recovered his kingdom. However, Aegeus had to pay tribute to Minos, who had conquered Athens.

Every year seven youth and seven maidens had to be sent to the island of Crete to be devoured by the Minotour. Theseus told his father that he wanted to be selected as one of the seven youths. On the day of departure Theseus went aboard a ship which had black sails.

Theseus said goodbye to his father and promised that the ship would have white sails upon his return. King Minos gloated when he saw the Athenians. He threw them into prison. The king's daughter named Ariadne saw the Athenians and fell in love with Theseus.

That night Ariadne entered Theseus' cell. She had come to help him. She gave him a magic sword with which to kill the Minotaur. She also gave him a ball of silken thread with which he could find his way out of the labyrinth.

The next day Theseus and the other Athenians were led to the labyrinth.

Theseus tied one end of the ball of thread to the doorpost and drew the sword which he had hidden under his cloak.  As he entered the labyrinth the Minotaur, which was taller than a man and had the head of a bull, ran toward them.

The frightened Athenians shrank back. Theseus however attacked the Minotaur and killed him. The youths and maidens fell to their knees and kissed his hands in gratitude. Then, winding the ball of thread, Theseus led them out of the labyrinth.

Outside the gate of the labyrinth they saw Ariadne awaiting them. Under cover of night Theseus, Ariadne, and the Athenians set sail. In Athens Aegeus watched the ship approaching.

The sails were still black. Theseus had forgotten to change them to white sails.

Believing that his son was dead, Aegeus threw himself into the sea and drowned.

From that time on this part of Our Sea has been called the Aegean Sea.