Ariadne


Ariadne

In Greek mythology, the daughter of Pasiphaƫ and King Minos of Crete. She fell in love with Theseus, who had promised to slay the Minotaur confined in Minos's Labyrinth. She gave Theseus a ball of thread or glittering jewels that enabled him to mark his path and thus to escape the Labyrinth after killing the monster. Endings to the legend vary. In one, Theseus abandons Ariadne and she hangs herself; in others, he carries her to Naxos, where she either dies or marries the god Dionysus. See also Phaedra.

This entry comes from Encyclopædia Britannica Concise.
For the full entry on Ariadne, visit Britannica.com.

Seen & Heard

What made you look up Ariadne? Please tell us what you were reading, watching or discussing that led you here.

Test Your Vocabulary

Take Our 10-Question Quiz

#6: Flabbergast
: to overwhelm with shock,
surprise, or wonder
See All Top 25 Entries »
Get Our Free Apps
Voice Search, Favorites,
Word of the Day, and More
Join Us on FB & Twitter
Get the Word of the Day and More