109
Θησεύς (Theseus)
(‘Theseus’)
Discussion Meineke 18391.371; 1840 III. 170; 1847. 578; Bothe 1855. 422; Kock
1884 11.142; Edmonds 1959 11.52—3; Kassel-Austin 1991 11.247; Sanchis Llopis
et al. 2007. 249
Title A Theseus was written also by Aristonymus, Diphilus, and Theopompus.
There were possibly three tragedies of this name as well, by Sophocles (dis-
puted by Weicker; cf. Radt 1999 ad loc.), Euripides and Achaeus I.
In the course of the fifth century, Theseus replaced Herakles as the great
Athenian hero (cf. the ephebic oath [SEG XVI 140]), although he was never
as well or as variously represented in literature; in general, see Ward 1970.
143-74; LIMC VII.1.922. In central Athens there was a shrine to Theseus that
is probably to be located in an unexcavated part of the city east of the Tower
of the Winds, north-east of the Acropolis; see Travlos 1971. 234; Agora III pp.
113-19.
Content of the comedy Euripides’ play certainly handled Theseus’ adven-
tures on Crete; the two fragments of Achaeus refer to Artemis Saronia (< the
Saronic Gulf) and the Marathonian bull. Theseus also appeared in other trage-
dies in a more peripheral role, e. g. E. Hipp.·, comic potential might be found
in the hero as cuckolded husband. For Theseus in tragedy, see Mills 1997,
although she concentrates on extant plays, not necessarily those in which
Theseus has a primary role. In addition, one or more epics had Theseus as a
central character, and a Diphilus of unknown date wrote a choliambic poem
about him. The plots of the comedies are unknown, although Kaibel (report-
ed by Kassel-Austin ad loc.) suggested that the surviving fragment from
Aristonymus’ play belonged to a description of a meal with Hecale. Possibly
relevant is the observation of Hollis 1990. 6 that ‘Sciron and Cercyon, over-
come by Theseus, were also thought fit subjects for satyr plays and comedies’
(cf. Hollis on Call. Hee. frr. 59-60; 62.1-2). Although there is no solid evidence
for the focus of Anaxandrides’ play, fr. 20 (see ad loc.) suggests a connection
with Hecale.
Date Unknown.
Θησεύς (Theseus)
(‘Theseus’)
Discussion Meineke 18391.371; 1840 III. 170; 1847. 578; Bothe 1855. 422; Kock
1884 11.142; Edmonds 1959 11.52—3; Kassel-Austin 1991 11.247; Sanchis Llopis
et al. 2007. 249
Title A Theseus was written also by Aristonymus, Diphilus, and Theopompus.
There were possibly three tragedies of this name as well, by Sophocles (dis-
puted by Weicker; cf. Radt 1999 ad loc.), Euripides and Achaeus I.
In the course of the fifth century, Theseus replaced Herakles as the great
Athenian hero (cf. the ephebic oath [SEG XVI 140]), although he was never
as well or as variously represented in literature; in general, see Ward 1970.
143-74; LIMC VII.1.922. In central Athens there was a shrine to Theseus that
is probably to be located in an unexcavated part of the city east of the Tower
of the Winds, north-east of the Acropolis; see Travlos 1971. 234; Agora III pp.
113-19.
Content of the comedy Euripides’ play certainly handled Theseus’ adven-
tures on Crete; the two fragments of Achaeus refer to Artemis Saronia (< the
Saronic Gulf) and the Marathonian bull. Theseus also appeared in other trage-
dies in a more peripheral role, e. g. E. Hipp.·, comic potential might be found
in the hero as cuckolded husband. For Theseus in tragedy, see Mills 1997,
although she concentrates on extant plays, not necessarily those in which
Theseus has a primary role. In addition, one or more epics had Theseus as a
central character, and a Diphilus of unknown date wrote a choliambic poem
about him. The plots of the comedies are unknown, although Kaibel (report-
ed by Kassel-Austin ad loc.) suggested that the surviving fragment from
Aristonymus’ play belonged to a description of a meal with Hecale. Possibly
relevant is the observation of Hollis 1990. 6 that ‘Sciron and Cercyon, over-
come by Theseus, were also thought fit subjects for satyr plays and comedies’
(cf. Hollis on Call. Hee. frr. 59-60; 62.1-2). Although there is no solid evidence
for the focus of Anaxandrides’ play, fr. 20 (see ad loc.) suggests a connection
with Hecale.
Date Unknown.