Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation Myth and Religion > Theseus (Greek) > Flashcards

Theseus (Greek) Flashcards

1
Q

Who is Theseus’ parents

A

Aegeus and Aethra and Poseidon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
1
Q

Retell the story of Theseus’ birth

A

-Aegeus goes to oracle at Delphi but does not understand, so he goes to Pitthus
-Pitthus tricks him into having a baby with his daughter, Aethra
-Aethra gets a vision from Athena to go to island of Spheiria
-Poseidon has sex with Aethra so the baby would have godlike attributes
-Aethra goes back to Troezen where Theseus is born
-Athena tells Theseus to go back to Athens when he is 18.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Which hero was Theseus related to

A

Heracles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Which city is Theseus the hero of, and what kind of hero was he

A

Hero of Athens, an ionic hero

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Name Theseus’ 7 labours

A
  1. Periphetes
  2. Sinis
  3. Crommyonian Sow
  4. Sciron
  5. Cecryon
  6. Procrustes
  7. The bull of Marathon
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What famous object depicts the labours of Thesues

A

The Kylix

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the Kylix

A

A wine cup

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What labours are depicted on the Kylix

A

All the labours except for the first, Periphetes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What else is depicted on the Kylix other than the labours of Thesues

A

Theseus and the Minotaur in the labyrinth of Crete

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is a minotaur

A

Half man half bull

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Describe the first labour of Theseus

A

-Periphetes the club bearer

-Would hide on side of road, jump and beat travellers to death with his club
-Theseus spotted him before he could attack, grappled him and then beat him with his own club
-As a prize Theseus took the club and used it in his subsequent labours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Describe the second labour of Theseus

A

-Sinis the pine bender

-Sinis was a road robber who tied his victims to the ends of bent pine trees and released them tearing them to pieces
-Theseus tricked Sinis, flinging him using his own trap

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Describe the third labour of Theseus

A

-Crommyonian sow

-Referred to a female thief on account of her beast-like behaviour.
-In both myths Theseus killed the sow for glory

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Describe the fourth labour of Theseus

A

-Sciron

-Old man who sat on a path by the cliffs edge
-Would ask people to wash his feet and kick them into the sea
-They would be consumed by a giant turtle
-Theseus caught him by the feet and threw him off the cliff

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describe the fifth labour of Theseus

A

-Cercyon

-Theseus arrives at Eleusis which is ruled by Cercyon
-Cercyon challenged travellers to a wrestling match
-Theseus outmatched him and became king of Eleusis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Describe the sixth labour of Theseus

A

-Procrustes

-Invited visitors to lay on a magical bed that fit anyone
-If they were too small, he would use a mallet and stretch them out.
If they were too tall, he would use an axe to chop off their hands and feet
-Theseus made Procrustes lay on the bed and he chopped off his head

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Describe the seventh labour of Theseus

A

-The bull of Marathon(Theseus in Athens)

-Theseus arrives in Athens and found his father under control of witch Medea
-Medea convinced Aegeas that Theseus was a threat
-She made Theseus prove his heroism by defeating bull of Marathon that terrorised Athens
-Theseus easily masters bull and marches it to Athens before sacrificing it

17
Q

What happened after Theseus defeated Sinis

A

After Theseus courted his daughter Perigune and they had a son called Melanippus

18
Q

What was the witch that tried to kill Theseus called

A

Medea

19
Q

What was under the rock Theseus had to lift at 18

A

A sword and sandals

20
Q

Who was the King of Crete

A

King Minos

21
Q

What did King Minos request to be tribute from Athens

A

7 athenian boys and 7 girls

22
Q

What would happen to the tributes in Crete

A

They would be sacrificed to the minotaur in the labyrinth

23
Q

What did Theseus decide to do when he heard about the tributes

A

He volunteered to be a tribute to the minotaur

24
Q

What did King Aegeus tell Theseus to do if he survived

A

Put up a white sail if he survived or a black sail if he died

25
Q

Who helped Theseus in Crete

A

Princess Ariadne(King Minos’ daughter)

26
Q

What did Ariadne give to Theseus

A

A sword and a yarn of wool

27
Q

What happened in the labirynth

A

Theseus kills the minotaur with a single blow

28
Q

What do Theseus and Ariadne decide to do after they defeat the minotaur

A

They leave Crete together

29
Q

Who appears to Theseus and what does she tell him to do

A

Athena appears to Theseus and tells him to abandon Ariadne on the island of Naxon because she belonged to Dionysus

30
Q

Why does King Aegeus jump off the cliff when he sees the ship that Theseus was on

A

Theseus forgets to change the sail so it is still black. Aegeus thinks Theseus is dead so he kills himself

31
Q

What happens after King Aegeus’ death

A

Theseus becomes king of Attica

32
Q

What was Theseus’ biggest change during his reign

A

He united different polis’ and created a democracy where they could vote for their leaders

33
Q

What games did Theseus introduce and what did it represent

A

He introduced the Panathenaic games where all Athenians could compete and represent their old tribes

34
Q

What did Plutarch describe about Theseus that shows his greatness of deeds

A

-He inherited considerably glorious power
-He wanted kleos for himself, set out for glory and justice in his labours
-He was a hero for many and helped others
-Defeats minotaur with help from Ariadne

35
Q

What was Theseus’ leadership like
(according to Plutarch)

A

-Favours the people
-Surrenders his power as a king(democracy)
-Result of easiness and goodwill

36
Q

What were Theseus’ reasons for misfortune
(according to Plutarch)

A

Love and jealousy of his son; Theseus exiles him and curses him on Poseidons name

37
Q

Who was Theseus’ son

A

Acanas

38
Q

What were Theseus’ achievements
(according to Plutarch)

A

-Uniting many polis’ and created democracy
-However he destroyed many cities and stripped culture off people

39
Q

What was Theseus’ relationship to his family like
(according to Plutarch)

A

Theseus was careless and negligent, leading to the death of his father (parricide)

40
Q

What was Theseus’ relationship to women and gods like
(according to Plutarch)

A

-Many crimes of Theseus raping women
-Pursuit of pleasure out of lust and hedonism
-The oracle given to Aegeus suggested that it was against the wishes of the gods for Theseus to be born

OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation Myth and Religion (21 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions