Theseus, still heartsick from the loss of his new love, journeys back to Athens to reunite with his father. But in his grief, Theseus forgets his fatherâs order; to change the black sail of his ship to white, signaling that he has survived. King Aegeus, seeing the black sail and becoming overwhelmed with despair at the death of his son, leaps from a cliff to his death into the sea. And forever after, in honor of the king, the sea there has been known as the Aegean Sea. Theseus, being the heir, is crowned King of Athens, and his reign ushers in a period of prosperity, political unification, and the creation of the Panathenaea Festival and Ismeian Games.
Theseus is credited with implementing Synoecism; political unification of the surrounding twelve Poleis (city-states) of Attica (region of surrounding peninsula countryside towns) to the centrally unified city-state of Athens. This unification paved the way for the seeds of political democracy. During this time the Athens became more diverse with the acceptance of foreigners and strengthening of the maritime trading port.
The Panathenaea was an annual festival to honor Athena; patron goddess of Athens. There was a large procession through the city, cutting through the Agora (central public square for markets and assembly) ending at the top of the Acropolis (elevated hill citadel) where animals would be sacrificed and a lavish embroidered robe offered to Athena in the Parthenon (temple for Athena). We can still see the festival figures of the procession carved upon the frieze of the Parthenon. The festival also included competition games, horse races, epic poetry, and musical contests performed in the Odeon (small, roofed theatre with acoustics.)
The Ismeian Games were athletic games and musical contests held in Corinth every two years, in honor of Poseidon.
DId i miss any important information about Theseus and his mythic contribution to Athens development?
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