#theseia

[hearthfirehandworks]

Starting in 475 BCE, the Theseia was held in Athens on 8 Pyanepsia (October 10 in 2024), appropriately since Theseus was the son of Poseidon, whose holy day was the eighth. In that year the Athenians, directed by the Delphic oracle, brought what they believed to be the bones of Theseus from Scyros to Athens in order to establish a hero-cult to him there. Little is known of the particulars of the Theseia, although it did feature the eating of a milk-based gruel known as athara. (Parke 81) The hero-cult in Greece tended to be a localized phenomenon in that the hero’s power—unlike that of the gods—was focused on the place where his bones were buried. Thus the Theseia was a uniquely Athenian festival. (Mikalson, Ancient Greek Religion Loc. 1278) In addition to the establishment of the Theseia—Theseus’ own festival—the fifth century BCE very likely saw the association of Theseus’ myths with a number of existing festivals, including the Oskhophoria and the Synoikia. (Parker, Polytheism 375

[diana-thyme]

Greek Gods 101: Hermes

Hermes is a god of travel, mercenaries, work, animal husbandry, trade, messengers, and athletes. Excluding the universal offerings, some common offerings include:

Citrus Fruits

Ramune

Candies

Souvenirs

Bird Feathers

Alcohol

Cheese

Coins and Money

Stamps

Foreign Foods or Candies

Foreign Drinks

For devotional acts, some activities that can be done for him include:

Write Stories

Write Letters (& Send Them)

Learning How to Make Drinks (Wine, Alcoholic Mixed Drinks, Juices, Etc.)

Traveling

Exploring Areas

Working

Making a Money Bowl

Learning How to Send Letters and Packages

He is celebrated in multiple Athenian holidays:

Noumenia

Pompaia

Heliogenna

Anthesteria, maybe

Asklepia, maybe

Olympeia, maybe

Bendideia, maybe

Panathenaia, maybe

Eleusinia, maybe

Zeus Epoptes, maybe

Genesios, maybe

Theseia, maybe

[the-mortuary-witch]

HERMES

WHO IS HE?

Hermes is a Greek god who is known as the messenger of the gods, the god of travelers, and the god of commerce. In Greek mythology, Hermes is a son of Zeus and the nymph Maia, and he is often depicted as a swift and clever god who is able to move quickly and silently. As the messenger of the gods, Hermes is responsible for transporting messages and news between the gods and mortals, and he is also known as the god of thieves and cunning. Hermes is often portrayed as a young and athletic figure, with curly hair and a mischievous or sly expression.

BASIC INFO:

Appearance: Hermes is often depicted as a graceful and athletic figure. He is typically portrayed as young and handsome, with curly hair and a mischievous or sly expression. He is often shown wearing a traveller's hat or cap and winged sandals, which enable him to move quickly and silently. He also often carries a caduceus, a staff entwined with two snakes, which is a symbol of his role as a messenger of the gods.

Personality: he is known for his quick wit, cleverness, and mischievous nature. He is often portrayed as a god of communication, travel, and commerce, and he is known for being able to move quickly and silently. Hermes is also known for his love of pranks and tricks, and he is often depicted as a god of thieves and cunning. Despite his playful side, Hermes is also considered to be a wise and understanding god, and he is often depicted as a god of wisdom and knowledge.

Symbols: caduceus, shepherds pipes, travellers hat, lyre, rooster, talaria, winged helmet, tortoise, and satchel or pouch Talaria, and petasos

God of: messenger of the Gods, heraldry, omens, poetry and fables, trade, travel, boundaries, thieves, education, psychopomp, wealth, luck, roadways, animal husbandry, sleep, language, and known as the divine trickster

Culture: Greek

Plants and trees: palm tree, crocus flower, Greek strawberry trees, hydrangeas, chrysanthemum, almond tree, iris, and marjoram

Crystals: alexandrit, amethyst, smoky quartz, hematite, agate, orange quartz, amber, citrine, peridot, quartz, malachite, ruby, bloodstone, and orange topaz

Animals: hummingbirds, tortoise, hare, cattle, hawk, goat, fish, ram, snake, and rooster

Incense: frankincense, myrrh, saffron, and dragon’s blood

Practices: travel protection, luck and prosperity magick, setting boundaries, chaos magick, and insight

Colours: gold, red, silver, copper, yellow, orange, grey, light blue, and green

Number: 4

Zodiac: Gemini

Tarot: Judgment, The Magician, The Fool, The Hierophant, The Hermit, The Star, and Suit of Swords

Planet: Mercury

Days: Wednesday, April Fools Day, 4th of every month, Hermea, Noumenia, Pompaia, Heliogenna, Anthesteria (maybe), Asklepia (maybe), Olympeia (maybe), Bendideia (maybe), Panathenaia (maybe), Eleusinia (maybe), Zeus Epoptes (maybe), Genesios (maybe), and Theseia (maybe)

Parents: Zeus and Maia

Siblings: N/A

Partners: Aphrodite, Brimo, Daeira, Peitho, Persephone, Penelopeia, and Palaestra

Children: Evander, Pan, Hermaphroditus, Abderus or Abderos, Autolycus, Eudoros, Angelia, Myrtilus, Palaestra, Aethalides (Argonaut), Arabius, Bounos or Bunus, Cephalus, Cydon, Pharis, Polybus, Prylis, and Saon or Samon

MISC:

• Winged sandals: according to Greek mythology, Hermes had a pair of winged sandals that he used to fly around the world.

• Caduceus: the caduceus is a staff with two snakes wrapped around it, and it is a symbol of Hermes and his role as a messenger.

• Thieves and tricksters: Hermes was often associated with thieves and tricksters, reflecting his role as a god of cunning and wit.

• Commerce and trade: he was also associated with commerce and trade, and was often invoked for success in business or financial endeavors.

• Messages and communication: Hermes was the god of messages and communication, and he was often invoked for help in sending or receiving important information.

• Travel and transportation: as a messenger and a god of travel, Hermes was often associated with the sea, rivers, and roads, and was invoked for protection and safe passage.

• Poetry and arts: Hermes was also associated with the arts, particularly music and writing, and was said to have created the first lyre, which he gave to Apollo.

• Magic and witchcraft: he was often associated with magic and witchcraft, and was believed to possess some magical powers himself.

FACTS ABOUT HERMES:

• One of the more popular myths of Hermes is the myth of him stealing Apollo’s cattle as a baby. Hermes was freshly born, escaped his crib and stole his half-brother’s herd of cattle. In order to avoid getting caught, Hermes plays some devious and clever tricks, though the tricks he plays depends on the myth-teller. At some point on his journey with the cattle he finds a tortoise whose shell he turns into the very first lyre. Inevitably he gets caught by Apollo but the sun god is so charmed by the lyre that he allows Hermes to keep the cattle or at least forgives him.

• Not only this myth, but others depict him as a trickster who enjoys a good prank.

• Hermes was known to be the patron god of Arcadia as he was born in Mount Cyllene in Arcadia according to Homer.

• Hermes is also a psychopomp, a traveler between the realms of the living and dead who aides souls headed to the Underworld.

• He was notably charming, even as a baby, considered a darling of the gods where many of the deities in the pantheon would teach or entertain young Hermes.

• Hermes was said to have invented wrestling and racing.

• He is often depicted as both young and old, as a mediator between god and man, and as a dream bringer. It’s possible that this ties into his involvement as an initiator for young adulthood.

• The Hermea were festivals held in honor of Hermes.

• Hermes’ staff or wand, the caduceus (staff with two snakes wound around it), is often mistaken for the Rod of Asclepius (staff with one snake wound around it).

• Inventor of fire: Hermes is credited with inventing fire, which he used to cook the stolen cattle.

• Protector of flocks: Hermes is also known to protect shepherds and their flocks, ensuring their safety and fertility.

• He likes rock music because of its high energy, energy drinks (especially red bull and original monster), elephants, yellow things, bergamot, dogwood, and vanilla.

HOW TO INVOKE HERMES:

Create a dedicated space on your altar or in your home for Hermes, with objects associated with him, such as the caduceus, winged sandals, or a statue of the god. Make offerings to Hermes, such as incense, food, or small trinkets. Set aside time each day to connect with Hermes through meditation, prayer, or journaling, and ask for his guidance or assistance. Take up activities that are associated with Hermes, such as writing, traveling, or communicating.

PRAYER FOR HERMES:

"Great and wise Hermes, messenger of the gods, I call upon you to be with me now. Guide me on my journey, and fill me with your wisdom and wit. Help me to communicate clearly and effectively, and to approach each new challenge with confidence and ease.”


“Hail Lord Hermes, swift as the wind, cunning as a fox, and wise as the stars.
I open myself to your presence and await your guidance. So mote it be."

SIGNS THAT HERMES IS CALLING YOU:

• A strong desire to learn, especially in the areas of communication, travel, or creative expression.

• Increased synchronicities or occurrences of things that are related to Hermes, such as twinning (seeing identical numbers), winged sandals, the caduceus, or the symbol for Mercury.

• A feeling of being inspired or compelled to take action, particularly in a situation that requires quick thinking or communication.

• Recurrent dreams or visions involving Hermes or objects associated with him, such as winged sandals or the caduceus.

• Sudden onset of good luck or fortunate opportunities, especially in areas related to communication or travel.

• An increased sense of curiosity or playful energy, such as a desire to explore new places or learn new skills.

• A feeling of being guided or protected, as if a benevolent presence is watching over you.

• An increased sense of intuition or insight, as if Hermes is guiding your thinking or decision-making.

OFFERINGS:

• Rocks, specifically stacked rocks from the roadside.

• Koumara.

• Petasos (winged helmet).

• Talaria (winged sandals).

• Naturally shed feathers.

• Animal skins.

• Silver or golden objects.

• Food and drinks: white or red wine, olive oil, water, citrus fruit, honey, strawberries, milk, chocolate, wheat, lemons, almonds, cinnamon, coffee/energy drinks (especially red bull and original monster), candy, ramune, foreign foods, candies, or drinks, cheeses, shepherds pie, mutton, pork, beef, eggs, cookie dough ice-cream, blackberries, apricots, chamomile tea, beer, pineapple, bread, and milk mixed with honey.

• Statues/depictions of him.

• Herbs: cinnamon, feverfew, mint, dill, mustard, parsley, angelica, poppy seed, and coriander.

• Souvenirs/objects from trips.

• Incense: frankincense, myrrh, saffron, and dragon’s blood.

• Zodiac or astrology related items.

• Souvenirs from your trips.

• Coins and money (unique or foreign).

• Silver/yellow/orange/red candles.

• Stamps.

• Turtle shaped objects.

• Sunglasses.

• Depictions/imagery of cattle’s, turtles, rams, hawks, hares, rooster, guard dogs, and snakes.

• Dice.

• Maps.

• Flowers: crocus flower, hydrangeas, and chrysanthemum.

• Wands.

• Musical instruments.

• Rock or indie music.

• Foreign items.

DEVOTIONAL ACTS:

• Write poetry.

• Play pranks, I won’t advocate for harsh pranks, personally, but he is known as a trickster so do with that what you will.

• Travel, he is the patron god of travellers.

• Watch a funny show or movie.

• Watch travel videos.

• Play or watch sports, he is known as a god of athletics and during his festival days people would play sports.

• Pray to him.

• Go to the gym or otherwise exercise, he has been cited as the patron deity of gyms.

• Learn astrology.

• Learn about agriculture and animal husbandry.

• Practice public speaking.

• Write His stories, poems, or jokes.

• Donate to homeless shelters.

• Honour the dead.

• Honour his children and his companions.

• Build a cairn, DO NOT STACK ROCKS IN NATURE as it disrupts the natural environment! However, feel free to build one on your porch or in your house with rocks you may already have.

• Watch a comedy special.

• Write letters and send them.

• Learning how to make drinks (wine, alcoholic mixed drinks, juices, etc).

• Traveling.

• Celebrate Hermea, I was unable to find a set date-range for these festivals. Some suggested around the beginning of August, possibly due to his conflation with the Irish god Lugh’s holiday Lughnasadh; others suggested May 15 due to the Roman god Mercury’s holiday Mercuralia. That said, he was known to be worshipped during other holidays in Greek tradition alongside other deities.

• Write stories.

• Exploring areas.

• Working.

• Making a money bowl.

• If able, learn a new language, if unable to do that listen to music in a foreign language or watch a movie or show in a foreign language.

• Learn about the Underworld and His role as a psychopomp.

• The story of Him stealing Apollon’s cattle always makes me laugh, so if you’re feeling down maybe read about that or watch a video about it.

• Eat food from a foreign country or watch cooking videos with recipes from foreign countries.

• Make a bucket list of places you’d like to travel (doesn’t necessarily have to be other countries. It can be within your own country or in your own state, or maybe there’s places in your own town/city you haven’t checked out yet that you’d like to go see).

• Learn some geography.

• Listen to or make a devotional playlist for Him.

• Play some board games or card games or dice games

• Learning how to send letters and packages.

• Stand up comedy and memes.

• Roller skating.

[tylermileslockett]

Theseus #11: Murdered in Exile

Regretting the loss of his friend Pirithous, Theseus makes his way back to Athens to find the city in rebellion. Helens brothers, Castor and Pollux, have rescued their sister and Athens is on the brink of war with the Spartans. A new Athenian king, Menestheus, has turned the citizens against Theseus, forcing him to send his children away and flee to the island of Scyros under the protection of King Lycomedes. But King lycomedes betrays Theseus, leading him up to a view point on a high cliff, and pushing him off to his death. Thus, Theseus life ends in murder and exile.

A few hundred years later, the Greeks fight the Persians in the battle of Marathon (490 B.C.) During this battle many warriors claim to see the ghost of Theseus leading a charge into battle. General Cimon receives a prophecy from the Oracle at Delphi, instructing him to retrieve Theseus body from Scyros. Cimon overtakes the island, and seeing an eagle digging, locates the giant bones of Theseus. Cimon relocates them back to Athens and seals them within a grand Tomb. In addition, in his honor, the temple known as the Theseion is built, as well as the creation of the festival Theseia.

The Theseion temple was established as hero-cult sanctuary for the poor and oppressed. The remains of a Doric temple North West of the Agora was thought to be the Theseion, but many modern scholars believe this to be the Temple of Hephaestus.

The actual tomb of Theseus was rumored to be near the Lyceum, and the design of the tomb is rumored to look like the Tomb of Mausolus in Halicarnassus There is much debate as to whether Theseus was a real, historical king, as his grave or body has never been found.

The Theseia Festival consisted of athletic competitions for Athenian males to compete and show their military skills as well as processions and sacrifices.

Like this art? It will be in my illustrated book with over 130 other full page illustrations coming in Aug/Sept to kickstarter.  to get unseen free hi-hes art subscribe to my email newsletter

Follow my backerkit kickstarter notification page.

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[snowbellecity]

Learned that Theseus' holiday, the Theseia, was celebrated on the 8th of every month! However, the Theseia that occurred every October 8th (approximate modern day equivalent) was considered the most important, as it is thought that's the day Theseus returned from Crete 😭

[sujesterrr]

Offerings for King Theseus

(This is not the full extent of offerings that can be made toward him, this is just a few of the offerings i've learned he liked through UPG.)

Physical Offerings

Foods

• Whiskey

• Mead

• Pudding

• Custard

• Steak

• Beer

• Tea (Specifically black tea/Bergamot)

• Beans

• Rice

-----------------------------

Objects and Imagery

• Ship/Shipwreck/Ocean imagery

• Ship in a bottle figurines

• Red panda imagery/figurines/etc

• Raccoon imagery/figurines/etc

• Seaweed

• Seashells

• Pearls

• Nasturtiums (plant/flower)

• Asters (plant/flower)

• Swords/Sword imagery

-----------------------------

Non-physical offerings

• Reading a book

• Writing

• Poetry

• Research the government

• Research laws & order

• Doing (or making) brain puzzles

• Researching hero/knightly conduct

• Sitting in the dark and lighting a candle toward him

• Honoring Pyanopsia/Theseia (his sacred days)

[scipiosmith]

It’s a very small point, but if I was starting my fanfic now I would rename the Mistral Regional Tournament (the thing that Pyrrha has won four years on the trot) into something that sounds a bit more like an Ancient Greek festival, like the Panserapheum (after Seraphis, the sky god of Mistral in my Mistralian religious cosmology) or the Theseia (after Theseus, Pyrrha’s semi-legendary, semi-divine ancestor who reputedly founded Mistral) or the Eleusinoi; just something to make it sound, first a little more Greek, but also a little more... important?

[withlovetohestia]

does anyone have Proerosia, Puanepsia, Theseia, or Stenia plans? or Thesmophoria for that matter

[thegrapeandthefig]

2022 ATTIC CALENDAR

Since it's already almost 2022, I made a new calendar. Same formula as last time aka most of the Athenian festivals and days are slapped on the modern calendar (friendly nicknamed "Civil Roman Calendar" lol) to make keeping track of events easier.

Compared to the 2021 iteration, I have made some changes to this one:

Have included information taken from Robert Parker's Polytheism and Society at Athens in addition to the dates that I used last time (which were taken from Jon D. Mikalson's The Sacred and Civil Calendar of the Athenian Year).

Have included for each Attic month the names of festivals for which the exact dates are unknown. I have not attributed dates but are mentioned so that each person can make their own decision as to what to do with them.

Still, festivals that are really too obscure have been omitted.

Festivals that have been added to the calendar are: the Lesser Mysteries, Asklepieia, Skirophoria, Great Nemesia, Kybernesia, Proerosia, Theseia, Stenia.

Like the 2021 version, the 2022 calendar is available in 1) an image-heavy PDF (meant to be viewed digitally) and in 2) a printer-friendly version (no image, black text on white background).

The complete list of festivals and additional information can be found on the last page of the calendar. Want to customize it to your own needs? Feel free to shoot me a message and I'd be happy to send the Powerpoint file your way.

DOWNLOAD

1 - Digital

2 -Printer-friendly

[alouette-t]

Lark is your actual real name Temperance T. with the middle name Hecate?

I imagine you may have tried to google it and found nothing? (That's what I do when I see a whole name on tumblr lol)

The last name "Theseia" is false, but otherwise yes. I actually go by Temperance.

To be quite honest, even my true full name doesn't yield much of anything. I try to be careful, plus I didn't grow up with the name I have now, so all the times I was in the news, a play, or the school papers as a child couldn't appear if they tried. On top of that, it also depends on if you looked up my last name as one word or two.

[homehearthandheart]

Self-Care Sunday / 6 October 2019

Welcome, Devotees!

Taking care of yourself is an important part of taking care of your Gods and Spirits. Try one of these:

Deity Devotion: Check in with one of your beloved Deities today. If you practice a form of divination, try using that. Otherwise, take a few minutes to sit or move gently in Their presence. Meditate on, or contemplate, that Deity and your relationship with Them. Thank Them for Their presence in your life.

Go Outside: Visit a place outside that helps re-charge you. Set time aside just for this, even if it’s just fifteen minutes in a corner of your yard where you don’t have to answer the phone or deal with other interruptions. If you want company, bring company and make it a group outing. Leave a small gift for the spirits of that place in return for their hospitality and healing.

Self-Improvement: Have you brushed your teeth and washed your face today? If not, get that done. You’ll feel much fresher–trust us–and it will help keep you ritually clean, too.

Today in the Hellenic Calendar: 

Today is the 7th of the lunar month.

It’s also the date of the Pyanepsia—see below for more details!

In Hellenic traditions, the first few days of a new lunar month tend to be special days for honoring important Deities in one’s area. In the Athenian calendar, today is sacred to Apollon.

If you like incorporating daily hymns into your prayers, Drew Campbell recommends the following prayers for today: To Apollon; and To the Mousai (Muses).

Later This Week: tomorrow marks the Theseia, a holy day for Theseus; Tuesday marks the Stenia, a woman’s only holy day for Demeter in preparation of the Thesmophoria; and Thursday, Friday, and Saturday this week mar the Thesmophoria.

Kalà Pyanepsía! (Happy Pyanepsia!)

In the Attic (Athenian) calendar, today marks the Pyanepsia, an annual harvest festival held in honor of Apollon.

During today’s rites, a mixture of boiled grains and beans (called panspermia, “all seeds”) was created and offered to Apollon.

While Athenian stories link the panspermia offering with Theseus’ return from slaying the Minotaur, it is possible that this ancient festival had connections to the agricultural cycle as well. The symbolism is easy to spot: it’s like a thanksgiving offering of first fruits, only this offering is there to ask for and ensure a plentiful crop in the coming agricultural year.

Other traditions included telling old legends, particularly about Theseus, and having children carry an eiresione from door to door, blessing the people who live there.

The eiresione is an olive branch wrapped in white wool and decorated with symbols of prosperity: fruit (especially figs), jars of oil, pieces of bread, and cups of wine—all the things that made life comfortable. Children carried this from house to house, singing a traditional song to bless the residents, and it was considered lucky to give them a treat in return.

The reason for these rites? This might not sound like Apollon’s area of influence, but He is associated with harvest times in other parts of Hellas. This was a transitional time, which falls under Apollon’s power as well—Apollon also protects the transition from one lunar month into the next. It makes sense to honor Him at a transition from one agricultural cyle to the next. We see some very ancient practices here, too: offerings to ensure a good crop, people going from door to door exchanging signs of prosperity. All in all, a festival that blends fun and strong symbolism together!

Since this festival took place in Athens specifically, don’t feel like you HAVE to celebrate this. You may want to consider celebrating it if:

You have a strong devotional relationship with Apollon.

You live in an agricultural area.

Your local farmers do any or all of their plowing and sowing at this time of year. (Otherwise, look into celebrating this at another time of year!)

Your practice is modeled on Athens’ religious calendar.

Daily Reminder: If you know of any resources you’d like us to incorporate on our site, or any sites/projects you’d like us to signal boost, send us an ask or fanmail! 

[diana-thyme]

Greek Gods 101: Poseidon

Poseidon is a god of the sea, earthquakes, floods, drought, and horses. Excluding the universal offerings, some common offerings include:

Seashells

Sea Water

Sand

Depictions or Imagery of Horses

Rope

Ship Depictions or Imagery

Driftwood

Depictions or Imagery of Tridents

Depictions or Imagery of Anchors

For devotional acts, some activities that can be done for him include:

Going Swimming

Riding a Horse

Going on a Boat

Visiting a Beach

Fishing

Drinking Water

Keeping and Raising Fish or Other Sea Animals

Cleaning Up Polluted Waterways

Visiting an Aquarium

He is celebrated in 3 Athenian holidays:

Skira

Theseia

Poseidea

[hellenismo]

Ὀγδόη Ἱσταμένου, VIII day From today's sunset: eighth day of Pyanepsion. Theseia, in honor of the Hero: solemn procession, sacrifices and common banquet of the whole population, agones. Sacrifice to the Amazons. Kybernesia. "That the war (against the Amazons) ended in a solemn treaty is attested not only by the naming of the place adjoining the Theseum, which is called Horcomosium (from the oaths of ratification) but also by the sacrifice which, in ancient times, was offered to the Amazons before the festival of Theseus." Plut. Thes. 27.5 "The chief sacrifice which the Athenians make in his honor (Theseus) comes on the eighth day of the month Pyanepsion, the day on which he came back from Crete with the youths. But they honor him also on the eighth day of the other months, either because he came to Athens in the first place, from Troezen, on the eighth day of the month Hecatombaion, as Diodorus the Topographer states, or because they consider this number more appropriate for him than any other since he was said to be a son of Poseidon." Plut. Thes. 36.3 "Philochorus says that Theseus got from Skiros of Salamis Nausithous for his pilot, and Phaeax for his look-out man, the Athenians at that time not yet being addicted to the sea, and that Skiros did him this favour because one of the chosen youths, Menesthes, was his daughter's son. And there is evidence for this in the memorial chapels for Nausithous and Phaeax which Theseus built at Phalerum near the temple of Skiros, and they say that the festival of the Kybernesia, or Pilot's Festival, is celebrated in their honor." Plut. Thes. 17 The eighth day is always sacred to Poseidon and Theseus. "Poseidon Asphaleios stands for the ogdoad." "The eighth and the ninth of the month that begins: these are the best days to accomplish the man's works: (Hesiod) praises the eighth and ninth plausibly as they carry perfection (syntelestikai) and therefore he has dedicated them to the human activities...one (the eight), by having a perfect dimension, the other (the nine), by deriving from a perfect number (the three), bring to accomplishment the works undertaken in them." Schol. Erga, 772-773 (Front panel of Attic sarcophagus with a scene of Amazonomachy. Detail. 2nd—3rd centuries CE. From the floor of the church San Salvatore. Found in October 1998, Brescia, Santa Giulia Civic Museum)

[tylermileslockett]

Theseus #11: Murdered in Exile

Regretting the loss of his friend Pirithous, Theseus makes his way back to Athens to find the city in rebellion. Helens brothers, Castor and Pollux, have rescued their sister and Athens is on the brink of war with the Spartans. A new Athenian king, Menestheus, has turned the citizens against Theseus, forcing him to send his children away and flee to the island of Scyros under the protection of King Lycomedes. But King lycomedes betrays Theseus, leading him up to a view point on a high cliff, and pushing him off to his death. Thus, Theseus life ends in murder and exile.

A few hundred years later, the Greeks fight the Persians in the battle of Marathon (490 B.C.) During this battle many warriors claim to see the ghost of Theseus leading a charge into battle. General Cimon receives a prophecy from the Oracle at Delphi, instructing him to retrieve Theseus body from Scyros. Cimon overtakes the island, and seeing an eagle digging, locates the giant bones of Theseus. Cimon relocates them back to Athens and seals them within a grand Tomb. In addition, in his honor, the temple known as the Theseion is built, as well as the creation of the festival Theseia.

The Theseion temple was established as hero-cult sanctuary for the poor and oppressed. The remains of a Doric temple North West of the Agora was thought to be the Theseion, but many modern scholars believe this to be the Temple of Hephaestus.

The actual tomb of Theseus was rumored to be near the Lyceum, and the design of the tomb is rumored to look like the Tomb of Mausolus in Halicarnassus There is much debate as to whether Theseus was a real, historical king, as his grave or body has never been found.

The Theseia Festival consisted of athletic competitions for Athenian males to compete and show their military skills as well as processions and sacrifices.

Like this art? It will be in my illustrated book with over 130 other full page illustrations coming in Aug/Sept to kickstarter.  to get unseen free hi-hes art subscribe to my email newsletter

Follow my backerkit kickstarter notification page.

Thank you for supporting independent artists! 🤘❤️🏛😁

[snowbellecity]

Yaaayyy this book I got regarding Theseus' role thru history has a section on the Theseia, a holiday that arose in Classical Athens in honour of Theseus ^.^ not feeling the best today (the Monthly Troubles, you know) so that's at least something to look forward to reading about later

[snowbellecity]

Interesting fun fact about mythological Theseus:

He was exiled from Athens in his later life, so when he died, he was hastily buried on the island of Skyros after a drowning.

Some many years later, an Athenian general known as Cimon had a vision of Theseus on the battlefield. He later went to Skyros to search for Theseus' remains, and found what appeared to be the skeleton of an extraordinarily tall man alongside a bronze spear. He hailed this discovery as that of the remains of Theseus, and brought them to Athens to be reburied in his city. The establishment of the Theseia festival followed soon after, in celebration of the return of the ancient king. The Theseia itself is celebrated in early Autumn :~)

Note: There's actually reason to believe Theseus was a small man, since he established the sport of pankration which is a "anything goes" type of wrestling sport.... Something that would be far more advantageous to a small man than a huge one 😭