Theseus, the first hero of democracy
480 BC.
Clay. Height 0.405 m. From the Acropolis of Athens.
National Archaeological Museum A 15115
Theseus fights with the Minotaur in the labyrinth. Ariadne gets ready to crown him while Minos attends the scene. The Athenians connected the mythical hero with the regime of their city. Theseus, a hero with strength and popularity, chose to step down from power and hand over the administration of Athens to his fellow citizens.