Obverse, Theseus about to slay the Minotaur, flanked by Nike (the personification of victory) and Ariadne Reverse, three youths
According to legend, Theseus, the most important Athenian hero, lived at a time when King Minos of Crete was exacting tribute from Athens. Every year seven youths and seven maidens were sent from Athens to Crete to be shut up in a labyrinth to die of starvation or be devoured by the Minotaur, a monster that was half man and half bull. Theseus accompanied the victims, slew the Minotaur, and escaped from the labyrinth with the help of King Minos' daughter, Ariadne.
