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Aegeus killed himself because he thought he lost his son, Theseus. Theseus traveled to Crete to defeat the Minotaur and told his father that if he returned victorious he would have a white sail. However Ariadne cursed Theseus and the gods caused Theseus to forget to raise his white sail. Aegeus saw a ship with a black sail and thinking that his son was dead he threw himself off a cliff.

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βˆ™ 10y ago
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βˆ™ 12y ago

Aegeus was the king of Athens at this time. Athens was obliged to send 7young men and 7 young women to king Minos in Crete in order to feed the Minotaur, a beast that was living in the labyrinth. Aegeus had a son, his name was Theseus and he decided to travel with these young people to Crete to kill the monster. The ship which they would travel with had always black sails and before the departure Aegeus told his son to raise white sails if the killing of Minotaur was succesfull. Theseus killed the beast but he forgot to change the sails.

So when Aegeus saw the ship with the black sails coming, he thought that his son had been killed by Minotaur, he trew himself to the sea and drowned. From that fact that sea was named Aegean Sea and this is still its name.

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Q: Why did aegeus kill himself?
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How did King Aegeus die?

I'm not really sure but I think that when Theseus returned to Athens sailing with a black flag, he thought his son died so he threw himself into the sea.When King Aegeus's son, Theseus, returned from Crete sailing with a black sail instead of white, Aegeus threw himself of a cliff into the sea, which is now called the Aegean seaWhen theseus came back from crete sailing with the black flag Aegeus threw him self off a cliff


How does Aegeus know Theseus is his son when they first meet?

Aegeus buried his sandals and sword under a huge rock and told Aethrathat when their son grew up, he should move the rock, if he were hero enough, and take the tokens for himself as evidence of his royal parentage.


How did Aphrodite kill Hippolytus?

Aegeus wished for his son, Hippolytus, to die when he found out that Phaedra, Aegeus's wife, fell madly in love with Hippolytus. Aegeus assumed that Hippolytus loved her back, but really didn't. Aegeus got angry and sent him away. As he was sailing away, Aphrodite sent a monster from the sea and attacked him. Hippolytus was washed up on the shore, still breathing, and met Theseus there. Theseus then knew the truth, and was very upset and felt guilty. Theseus later died too.


Why does Medea try to poison theseus?

She doesn't want Aegeus to recognize his son, Theseus, because Aegeus would then reinstate Theseus's position as heir and he would inherit the throne of Athens after Aegeus dies. Medea wants her own son, Medus, to rule Athens after Aegeus dies - she wants to remove Theseus so that this can happen.


Why did it take Aegeus so long to recognize his own son?

Aegeus took so long because he needed proof that Theseus was his son.

Related questions

Who killed himself or herself after seeing black nails?

Aegeus


Who killed himself or herself after seeing black sails?

Aegeus


What is the sword of aegeus?

the sword of Aegus was the sword which Theseus used to kill the minotaur in ancient Greek mythology. It was named after his father; Theseus, who threw himself into the sea, believing that his son was dead.


How do you say aegeus?

Aegeus : (ē′jo͞os, ē′jē-əs)


How did King Aegeus die?

I'm not really sure but I think that when Theseus returned to Athens sailing with a black flag, he thought his son died so he threw himself into the sea.When King Aegeus's son, Theseus, returned from Crete sailing with a black sail instead of white, Aegeus threw himself of a cliff into the sea, which is now called the Aegean seaWhen theseus came back from crete sailing with the black flag Aegeus threw him self off a cliff


How does Aegeus know Theseus is his son when they first meet?

Aegeus buried his sandals and sword under a huge rock and told Aethrathat when their son grew up, he should move the rock, if he were hero enough, and take the tokens for himself as evidence of his royal parentage.


Who was Aegeus?

Aegeus, after whom the Aegean Sea is called, became king of Athens and father of Theseus.


How did Aphrodite kill Hippolytus?

Aegeus wished for his son, Hippolytus, to die when he found out that Phaedra, Aegeus's wife, fell madly in love with Hippolytus. Aegeus assumed that Hippolytus loved her back, but really didn't. Aegeus got angry and sent him away. As he was sailing away, Aphrodite sent a monster from the sea and attacked him. Hippolytus was washed up on the shore, still breathing, and met Theseus there. Theseus then knew the truth, and was very upset and felt guilty. Theseus later died too.


Who was theseus's father?

Aegeus or Poseidon.


Was aegeus king of Athens?

Yes.


Why does Medea try to poison theseus?

She doesn't want Aegeus to recognize his son, Theseus, because Aegeus would then reinstate Theseus's position as heir and he would inherit the throne of Athens after Aegeus dies. Medea wants her own son, Medus, to rule Athens after Aegeus dies - she wants to remove Theseus so that this can happen.


Why did it take Aegeus so long to recognize his own son?

Aegeus took so long because he needed proof that Theseus was his son.