Monday 13 April 2015

Ariadne

In Greek mythology, Ariadne was described as the daughter of Minos, King of Crete, and Pasiphae, daughter of Helios.  


Ariadne......in Naxos island

                                      When Theseus came to Crete as one of the tribute from Athens to Crete. (Theseus was among those who were sent from Athens as the third tribute to the Minotaur,in some versions, he offered himself voluntarily to be a part of this group.) Ariadne fell in love with him and offered him help if he would agree to marry her and take her with him to Athens. 


Theseus and Ariadne....

                          Theseus agreed and Ariadne gave Theseus a ball of silk thread, on the advice of Daedalus (the constructor of the Labyrinth), so he could find his way out of the Labyrinth. After killing Minotaur, Theseus used the thread to escape the Labyrinth. Theseus managed to escaped with all of the young Athenians and Ariadne in ship. In some versions, Ariadne younger sister Phaedra also came with them.


Ariadne abandoned by Theseus...

                                                On the journey back to Athens, Theseus stopped at island of Naxos. Theseus and rest of the crew fell asleep on the beach of Naxos. Goddess Athena woke Theseus and told him to leave early that morning also to leave Ariadne on the beach. Theseus abandoned Ariadne sleeping on Naxos, Ariadne put an end to her own life in despair. In other version, Ariadne was saved by Dionysus, who in amazement at her beauty made her his wife, raised her among the immortals, and placed the crown which he gave her at his marriage with her, among the stars.  


Dionysus and Ariadne...

                                       According to other versions, the god Dionysus came to Theseus and told him not to marry Ariadne. As Dionysus himself wanted to marry Ariadne. So Dionysus told Theseus to leave her on the island of Naxos.  With Dionysus, she was the mother of Oenopion, Staphylus, Thoas, Peparethus, Phanus, Eurymedon, Enyeus, Ceramus, Maron, Euanthes, Latramys and Tauropolis. 


Dionysus and Ariadne....
                                                                                According to some versions, when Dionysus rode into battle against the Argives with his band of sea women, Ariadne was killed or turned to stone by King PerseusDionysus descended into underworld and brought Ariadne and his mother Semele back. They then joined the gods in Olympus.

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