Why a Booktrail?
A mesmerising retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur.
Ariadne
What you need to know before your trail
As princesses of Crete and daughters of the fearsome King Minos, Ariadne and her sister, Phaedra, grow up hearing the hoofbeats and bellows of the Minotaur echo from the labyrinth beneath the palace. The Minotaur – Minos’ greatest shame and Ariadne’s brother – demands blood every year.
When Theseus, prince of Athens, arrives in Crete as a sacrifice to the beast, Ariadne falls in love with him. But helping Theseus kill the monster means betraying her family and country, and Ariadne knows only too well that in a world ruled by mercurial gods – drawing their attention can cost you everything.
In a world where women are nothing more than the pawns of powerful men, will Ariadne’s decision to betray Crete for Theseus ensure her happy ending? Or will she find herself sacrificed for her lover’s ambition?
Travel Guide
Ariadne’s Crete
Ariadne was a Cretan princess in Greek mythology. She was mostly associated with mazes and labyrinths because of her involvement in the myths of the Minotaur and Theseus.
According to one version of the story, Minos attacked Athens after his son was killed there. In return, the Athenians were required to sacrifice 7 young men and 7 maidens to the Minotaur every 7 or 9 years. One year, the sacrificial party included Theseus, the son of King Aegeus, who volunteered to kill the Minotaur. Ariadne fell in love with him and gave him a sword and ball of thread “Ariadne’s string”) so that he could retrace his way out of the labyrinth of the Minotaur.
Ariadne betrayed her father and her country for her lover Theseus. She eloped with him after he killed the Minotaur. It is said that Theseus abandoned Ariadne, but other stories have Dionysus claiming Ariadne as wife, therefore causing Theseus to abandon her.
BookTrail Boarding Pass: Ariadne
Destination/location: Crete, Ancient Greece Author/guide: Jennifer Saint Departure Time: Ancient Greece
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