Theseus

Broadly, Greek mythology is the collection of stories that make up ancient Greek culture. Its subjects range from the creation of the universe to the individual lives of citizens. Many of these stories are told across the history of ancient Greece. They not only give insight into the religious beliefs of the time but also provide insight into the cultural, societal, and political norms that governed a person’s daily life.

Myths are united in being stories about deities and people who are larger than life. Greek myths contain a pantheon of gods whom the citizens trusted to keep them safe, to give them bountiful harvests, and to side with them in conflicts. When the tributes are in the Labyrinth, Theseus provides comfort to his companions by saying, “Stay close by me […] and with the help of Athena who dwells in her temple home in our own fair city, I will save you” (204). This is not merely a reassurance. Theseus believes that Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, stands with him in the coming battle against the Minotaur. He believes that his cause is just and that the gods will see him safely through.