Theseus and the Minotaur

It is said that the great god Zeus gave, as a gift to be sacrificed, a beautiful white bull to King Minos of Crete. However, when Minos saw the bull he tried to conceal it within his own herds. But the gods were not easily fooled and as a punishment made Minos's wife become infatuated with the white bull. From this dreadful union was born the MINOTAUR, a half-man, half-bull creature which fed on human flesh.

Minos employed Daedalus, master craftsman, to construct the Labyrinth, the most complex maze ever devised. To hide his shame, Minos placed the Minotaur in the Labyrinth to wander aimlessly around the maze and hopefully never to be seen by human eyes again.

Meanwhile in Greece, Aegeus the King of Athens, fell in love with a beautiful maiden called Aethra whilst visiting the town of Troezen. However, he had to return to Athens and upon his return he married Medea. Unknown to Aegeus, Aethra bore a son whom she called Theseus.

Theseus grew up to be a strong and popular man and one day Aethra sat beside Theseus and said ... "My son, it is time that you were told your true heritage. You are the son of Aegeus, King of Athens. You must go to Athens and claim your rightful place in his home. Aegeus has hidden a sword and pair of sandals, which you must find as proof of your link with him. Beware, for on your journey you will meet many dangerous villains and ruffians. Go now my son ... go to your father!"