As the unifying king, he is credited with building a palace on the fortress of the Acropolis. He then goes on to unite Attica under Athenian rule: the synoikismos ('dwelling together'). The most famous legend about Theseus is his slaying of the Minotaur, half man and half bull. When he reaches Athens, he finds that Aegeus is married to Medea (formerly wife of Jason), who plots against him. He was raised by his mother, Aethra, and, upon discovering his connection to Aegeus, travels overland to Athens, having many adventures on the way. Theseus is sometimes described as the son of Aegeus, King of Athens, and sometimes as the son of the god Poseidon. The myths surrounding Theseus, his journeys, exploits, and friends, have provided material for storytelling throughout the ages. Theseus ( UK: / ˈ θ iː sj uː s/, US: / ˈ θ iː s i ə s/ Greek: Θησεύς ) was a divine hero and the founder of Athens from Greek mythology.
