Grade 2 - Greek Myths

94 Greek Myths: Supplemental Guide 5A | Theseus and the Minotaur

Essential Background Information and Terms 10 minutes

Note: You may wish to add to the Character Chart as you

introduce the characters in this read-aloud.

Character Name

Description of Character

(god, goddess, mythological

creature, human) Role in Story

Prince Theseus

(THEE-see-us)

human son

defeated the Minotaur

King Aegeus

(EE-jee-us)

human father

leader of Athens

King Minos

(MY-noce)

human father

leader of Crete

sender of ship with black

sails

Princess Ariadne

(ar-ee-ADD-nee)

human daughter

helps Theseus fi nd his

way back

Daedalus (DED-ah-lus) human inventor

designed the Labyrinth

Minotaur (MIN-oh-tar) mythological creature half-man, half-bull

lives in the Labyrinth

 Show image 5A-1: Prince Theseus returning in his ship to Athens

Tell students that Prince Theseus is one of the main characters in

this myth. Tell students that the story begins with Theseus saling

to Athens to see his father, King Aegeus.

 Show image 5A-4: Theseus preparing to get on the black-sailed ship with

other youth

Tell students that in this image Theseus’s father, King Aegeus, is

shown in the foreground, or nearest to the viewer. Tell students

they will hear about another important Greek king, King Minos, but

they will not see an image of King Minos in this story.

 Show image 5A-5: Ariadne talking to Daedalus

Tell students that Princess Ariadne and Daedalus both play

important roles in this story. Ask students to look at the image and

ask them what they notice that they think might be important.