WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.660 Theseus and the Minotaur 00:00:04.660 --> 00:00:13.150 Minos, king of Crete, had a monstrous son with the body of a man and the head of a bull. 00:00:13.150 --> 00:00:15.730 He was called the Minotaur. 00:00:15.730 --> 00:00:18.310 He was kept in a maze of tunnels, 00:00:18.310 --> 00:00:22.680 a twisting labyrinth underneath the king’s palace. 00:00:22.680 --> 00:00:26.460 The creature would only eat human flesh. 00:00:26.460 --> 00:00:29.930 The king knew that, if he were to feed the monster with his own people, 00:00:29.930 --> 00:00:31.970 they would rise up against him. 00:00:31.970 --> 00:00:35.950 But the creature was his own son, of royal blood. 00:00:35.950 --> 00:00:38.820 He couldn’t let him starve to death. 00:00:38.820 --> 00:00:40.750 What was he to do? 00:00:40.750 --> 00:00:42.890 One of his advisers said, 00:00:42.890 --> 00:00:45.930 ‘Many nations fear you, your majesty. 00:00:45.930 --> 00:00:50.740 You must demand that each kingdom send seven young men a year.’ 00:00:50.740 --> 00:00:52.400 And so it was. 00:00:52.400 --> 00:00:57.340 Each kingdom of Greece was forced to send seven young men, 00:00:57.340 --> 00:01:01.320 seven young men who would never be heard of again. 00:01:01.320 --> 00:01:05.220 Rumours travelled from Crete with trading ships, 00:01:05.220 --> 00:01:10.530 rumours of a flesh-eating beast beneath Minos’ palace. 00:01:10.530 --> 00:01:12.840 When the turn of Athens came, 00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:18.780 the city’s king couldn’t bring himself to send seven young Athenians to a horrible death. 00:01:18.780 --> 00:01:21.210 He delayed and delayed. 00:01:21.210 --> 00:01:23.820 Eventually King Minos, furious, 00:01:23.820 --> 00:01:27.290 set sail himself with a fleet of ships and, 00:01:27.290 --> 00:01:32.390 when the people of Athens saw the ships of King Minos slicing through the waves, 00:01:32.390 --> 00:01:36.050 every man woman and child shuddered. 00:01:36.050 --> 00:01:44.430 They’d heard stories about Minos’ monstrous son and the word ‘Minotaur’ had been whispered from mouth to ear. 00:01:44.430 --> 00:01:51.170 What was more, the last time Minos had visited the city he had taken the inventor, Daedalus, and the boy, Icarus. 00:01:51.170 --> 00:01:54.260 Father and son had never been seen again. 00:01:54.260 --> 00:01:56.970 As soon as the ships reached the quayside, 00:01:56.970 --> 00:02:00.180 King Minos and his soldiers leapt ashore. 00:02:00.180 --> 00:02:04.460 They marched through the streets and, wherever the king saw a young man of noble bearing, 00:02:04.460 --> 00:02:06.580 he would shout ‘Seize him!’ 00:02:06.580 --> 00:02:12.420 Six young men had been taken when they reached the palace of King Aegeus, the king of Athens. 00:02:12.420 --> 00:02:19.570 Standing behind the king’s throne there was a beautiful young man with a crown of laurel leaves on his head. 00:02:19.570 --> 00:02:21.120 He looked like a god. 00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:24.830 He could almost have been Ares, the beautiful god of war. 00:02:24.830 --> 00:02:27.530 King Minos lifted his arm and pointed: 00:02:27.530 --> 00:02:29.410 ‘He will be the seventh.’ 00:02:29.410 --> 00:02:32.780 King Aegeus fell to the ground at Minos’ feet. 00:02:32.780 --> 00:02:36.940 ‘Please, he is my own son, my only son, Theseus. 00:02:36.930 --> 00:02:39.260 I beg you, spare his life!’ 00:02:39.260 --> 00:02:41.460 Minos kicked the king aside. 00:02:41.460 --> 00:02:42.930 ‘Seize him.’ 00:02:42.930 --> 00:02:47.540 The seven Athenian youths were bundled aboard a Cretan ship. 00:02:47.540 --> 00:02:50.430 For three days and nights they sailed. 00:02:50.430 --> 00:02:52.410 When they reached the island of Crete, 00:02:52.410 --> 00:02:56.380 they were led to the king’s palace by a glittering procession. 00:02:56.380 --> 00:02:59.540 They were invited to sit down to a feast. 00:02:59.540 --> 00:03:04.480 But as they tasted the savoury meats and sipped the sweet wines, 00:03:04.480 --> 00:03:10.770 they could hear the sound of keys turning in locks and they knew they were trapped. 00:03:10.770 --> 00:03:16.080 That night they slept on silken sheets under purple blankets; 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:20.530 but the next morning there were only six of them at the breakfast table. 00:03:20.530 --> 00:03:26.660 As they ate, they heard the distant sound of screaming from somewhere far below. 00:03:26.660 --> 00:03:32.420 Five pushed their plates away but Theseus chewed his food and listened, 00:03:32.420 --> 00:03:37.130 a strange half-smile playing across his face. 00:03:37.130 --> 00:03:40.500 King Minos entertained his guests. 00:03:40.500 --> 00:03:47.420 The finest Cretan runners, leapers, wrestlers and archers were invited to compete with the Athenians. 00:03:47.420 --> 00:03:50.720 Theseus defeated every one of them. 00:03:50.720 --> 00:03:52.340 And in the evenings, 00:03:52.340 --> 00:03:55.020 the king’s daughter, Princess Ariadne, 00:03:55.020 --> 00:03:56.790 would dance for them. 00:03:56.790 --> 00:04:03.160 She wore a crown that burst into flickering flames if stone was struck against iron. 00:04:03.160 --> 00:04:07.570 It made the shadows of the hall dance alongside her. 00:04:07.570 --> 00:04:12.720 And then, one morning, there were five of them at the breakfast table, 00:04:12.720 --> 00:04:15.030 and then there were four. 00:04:15.030 --> 00:04:18.990 Ariadne couldn’t take her eyes off Theseus. 00:04:18.990 --> 00:04:22.600 When he was running or wrestling, she would be watching him. 00:04:22.600 --> 00:04:26.260 When she was dancing, her eyes were fixed on him. 00:04:26.260 --> 00:04:32.120 Theseus felt the weight of her gaze and smiled to himself. 00:04:32.120 --> 00:04:35.560 Then there were three of them at the breakfast table. 00:04:35.560 --> 00:04:37.090 And then two. 00:04:37.090 --> 00:04:38.500 When no one was watching, 00:04:38.500 --> 00:04:40.820 Theseus seized Ariadne’s hand: 00:04:40.820 --> 00:04:45.460 ‘Ariadne, from the moment I first saw you I have loved you.’ 00:04:45.460 --> 00:04:49.410 She looked at him and tears trickled down her cheeks. 00:04:49.410 --> 00:04:54.220 She shook her head, pulled her hand away and ran out of the hall. 00:04:54.220 --> 00:04:55.800 And then, one morning, 00:04:55.800 --> 00:04:59.530 Theseus found that he was alone at the breakfast table. 00:04:59.530 --> 00:05:03.190 He waited for his chance and then approached Ariadne again. 00:05:03.190 --> 00:05:06.870 He whispered, ‘Ariadne, is there nobody who could help me? 00:05:06.870 --> 00:05:10.010 If I could escape I would take you with me.’ 00:05:10.010 --> 00:05:12.540 Ariadne couldn’t help herself. 00:05:12.540 --> 00:05:14.900 She melted into his arms; 00:05:14.900 --> 00:05:17.090 she pressed her lips to his lips. 00:05:17.090 --> 00:05:20.750 ‘Yes, yes. There is someone.’ 00:05:20.750 --> 00:05:24.720 That night she crept out of the palace and placed, 00:05:24.720 --> 00:05:26.410 just inside the maze, 00:05:26.410 --> 00:05:30.970 the things Theseus would need to kill her monstrous brother. 00:05:30.970 --> 00:05:34.300 Then she tiptoed into Theseus’ bed-chamber. 00:05:34.300 --> 00:05:36.130 She leaned over the bed. 00:05:36.130 --> 00:05:38.730 ‘My love, when they take you to the labyrinth, 00:05:38.730 --> 00:05:41.080 feel amongst the shadows to your left. 00:05:41.080 --> 00:05:43.920 You will find my crown to light your way; 00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:47.400 you will find a ball of golden thread so that you won’t get lost; 00:05:47.400 --> 00:05:50.770 and you will find a bronze sword for my brother. 00:05:50.770 --> 00:05:53.440 I will be waiting for you outside.’ 00:05:53.440 --> 00:05:56.530 She kissed him and slipped away. 00:05:56.530 --> 00:06:00.120 The next morning King Minos was amazed. 00:06:00.120 --> 00:06:03.790 Theseus came out of his bedroom of his own free will – 00:06:03.790 --> 00:06:06.360 no need to drag him screaming. 00:06:06.360 --> 00:06:09.160 Surely by now he understood his fate? 00:06:09.160 --> 00:06:12.150 He was cracking jokes with the guards! 00:06:12.150 --> 00:06:14.440 Down to the maze they went. 00:06:14.440 --> 00:06:18.580 The darkness swallowed him and there was silence. 00:06:18.580 --> 00:06:20.720 Theseus felt among the shadows, 00:06:20.720 --> 00:06:23.750 his fingers closed around Ariadne’s crown. 00:06:23.750 --> 00:06:25.900 He lifted it onto his head. 00:06:25.900 --> 00:06:27.900 He felt for the iron and stone, 00:06:27.900 --> 00:06:29.590 and struck them together. 00:06:29.590 --> 00:06:33.840 The crown blazed with light and now he could see. 00:06:33.840 --> 00:06:38.080 He tied the end of the ball of golden thread to a snag of rock. 00:06:38.080 --> 00:06:40.170 He picked up the bronze sword. 00:06:40.170 --> 00:06:43.170 He began to make his way into the labyrinth, 00:06:43.170 --> 00:06:45.730 unravelling the thread as he went. 00:06:45.730 --> 00:06:49.100 He wound to the left and to the right. 00:06:49.100 --> 00:06:52.020 Above his head, the shadows danced. 00:06:52.020 --> 00:06:58.080 Below his feet, there were shreds of rag and splinters of bone, picked clean. 00:06:58.080 --> 00:07:01.150 Then suddenly, he could hear it, 00:07:01.150 --> 00:07:03.840 grunting and snorting. 00:07:03.840 --> 00:07:06.330 And then he could smell it, 00:07:06.330 --> 00:07:12.370 the sour smell of stale sweat and the sickly sweet stench of rotten flesh. 00:07:12.370 --> 00:07:15.690 Then he rounded a bend and saw it – 00:07:15.690 --> 00:07:19.320 the human body, the great bull head: 00:07:19.320 --> 00:07:21.160 the Minotaur. 00:07:21.160 --> 00:07:23.220 The monster was filled with terror. 00:07:23.220 --> 00:07:26.790 His night sight had never endured such brightness before. 00:07:26.790 --> 00:07:29.920 He lurched and lost his balance, blinded. 00:07:29.920 --> 00:07:31.230 Theseus laughed. 00:07:31.230 --> 00:07:32.420 This was easy! 00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:35.810 He plunged his sword into the beast’s belly. 00:07:35.810 --> 00:07:38.750 The Minotaur dropped to his hands and his knees, 00:07:38.750 --> 00:07:41.800 felt something pierce his skin over and over. 00:07:41.800 --> 00:07:46.430 He wanted to beg for mercy but no one had taught him the words with which to speak. 00:07:46.430 --> 00:07:48.160 He screamed. 00:07:48.160 --> 00:07:51.950 Again and again, Theseus stabbed the Minotaur. 00:07:51.950 --> 00:07:56.740 He stabbed its neck, its arms, its thighs, its chest. 00:07:56.740 --> 00:08:00.270 He opened up a constellation of wounds. 00:08:00.270 --> 00:08:01.830 It sank to its knees. 00:08:01.830 --> 00:08:05.900 He seized one of its horns and he hacked off its head. 00:08:05.900 --> 00:08:11.520 Then he wound in the golden thread and followed the tunnels to right and left, 00:08:11.520 --> 00:08:13.990 dragging the head behind him. 00:08:13.990 --> 00:08:16.330 At last he saw the entrance. 00:08:16.330 --> 00:08:20.820 He crouched and waited until the night came. 00:08:20.820 --> 00:08:23.670 Ariadne was waiting outside. 00:08:23.670 --> 00:08:25.650 When the stars were shining, 00:08:25.650 --> 00:08:30.290 Theseus came out of the labyrinth and lifted the great bull head. 00:08:30.290 --> 00:08:32.670 He thrust it onto a stake. 00:08:32.670 --> 00:08:36.900 Then he seized Ariadne’s hand and they ran to the harbour. 00:08:36.900 --> 00:08:38.640 They jumped onto the deck of a ship; 00:08:38.640 --> 00:08:41.400 they cut the ropes and sailed away. 00:08:41.400 --> 00:08:49.920 But before they left the harbour they set fire to the fleet of Cretan ships so that a black pall of smoke rose into the sky, 00:08:49.920 --> 00:08:55.380 extinguishing the lights of the stars. 00:08:55.380 --> 00:08:59.730 Ariadne had never been so happy. 00:08:59.730 --> 00:09:04.680 Every night Theseus would whisper promises into her ears. 00:09:04.680 --> 00:09:11.030 ‘Such wealth, such happiness will be ours when you become a queen of Athens.’ 00:09:11.030 --> 00:09:15.350 After several days they came to the island of Naxos. 00:09:15.350 --> 00:09:19.700 Theseus suggested they go ashore for fresh meat and fresh fruit. 00:09:19.700 --> 00:09:22.770 And that night they lit a fire on the beach. 00:09:22.770 --> 00:09:27.220 They ate; they talked; they laughed; they danced in the firelight. 00:09:27.220 --> 00:09:30.900 Then they slept in the warmth of the embers. 00:09:30.900 --> 00:09:34.000 In the middle of the night Ariadne woke. 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:35.800 She was alone. 00:09:35.800 --> 00:09:38.380 She sat up and looked about herself. 00:09:38.380 --> 00:09:41.180 By the light of the moon she could see the ship. 00:09:41.180 --> 00:09:44.320 She could see the anchor chain was being lifted. 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:47.160 She could see the sails were being unfurled. 00:09:47.160 --> 00:09:49.100 She ran down to the water’s edge. 00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:50.360 ‘Theseus!’ 00:09:50.360 --> 00:09:53.590 From the deck of the ship came the sound of laughter – 00:09:53.590 --> 00:09:55.590 cold, hard laughter. 00:09:55.590 --> 00:09:57.270 ‘Sister of a bull, 00:09:57.270 --> 00:10:00.200 these were all you gave me that were worth anything. 00:10:00.200 --> 00:10:01.820 Take them back.’ 00:10:01.820 --> 00:10:03.360 There was a thud behind her, 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:04.310 and then another, 00:10:04.310 --> 00:10:05.770 and then a third. 00:10:05.770 --> 00:10:08.260 She turned and saw her crown, 00:10:08.260 --> 00:10:13.180 the ball of golden thread and the bronze sword, lying on the sand. 00:10:13.180 --> 00:10:14.770 ‘Sister of a bull, 00:10:14.770 --> 00:10:19.140 ponder this as you wander the coast of Naxos, bellowing and blaring. 00:10:19.140 --> 00:10:20.670 I never loved you. 00:10:20.670 --> 00:10:22.410 I never ever loved you, 00:10:22.410 --> 00:10:25.870 and now I am free to forget you.’ 00:10:25.870 --> 00:10:28.020 The wind filled the sails, 00:10:28.020 --> 00:10:31.190 the prow of the ship sliced through the waves, 00:10:31.190 --> 00:10:34.060 and Theseus was gone. 00:10:34.060 --> 00:10:36.690 Ariadne dropped to her knees. 00:10:36.690 --> 00:10:41.470 She buried her face in her hands and trembled with sobs. 00:10:41.470 --> 00:10:45.650 But nothing is hidden from the eyes of the mighty gods. 00:10:45.650 --> 00:10:52.250 Dionysus, the god of drinking and drunkenness, wild music and wild dancing, 00:10:52.250 --> 00:10:56.940 he saw her and he felt pity stirring in his heart. 00:10:56.940 --> 00:11:01.580 He came striding down from the heavens and lifted her to her feet. 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:03.200 ‘Ariadne,’ he said, 00:11:03.200 --> 00:11:07.550 ‘forget Theseus’ empty promises to make you a queen of Athens. 00:11:07.550 --> 00:11:11.130 I will make you a queen of the heavens.’ 00:11:11.130 --> 00:11:15.830 He lifted up her crown and it burst into flames. 00:11:15.830 --> 00:11:21.800 He reached high above his head and set it in the heavens as a constellation, 00:11:21.800 --> 00:11:25.380 a circlet of shining stars. 00:11:25.380 --> 00:11:27.620 Then he led her up to his palace, 00:11:27.620 --> 00:11:30.180 on the high slopes of Mount Olympus, 00:11:30.180 --> 00:11:34.140 where she became his consort, his queen. 00:11:34.140 --> 00:11:35.770 And ever since then, 00:11:35.770 --> 00:11:39.030 we’ve been able to see her crown in the sky. 00:11:39.030 --> 00:11:44.140 Sometimes we call it the Pleiades.