Page:Star Lore Of All Ages, 1911.pdf/211



conspicuous and beautiful constellation is said to commemorate the crown presented by Bacchus to Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, second King of Crete. The legend relates that Theseus, King of Athens (1235 ), was shut up in the celebrated labyrinth of Crete to be devoured by the ferocious Minotaur, which was confined in that place* This creature was accustomed to feed upon the chosen young men and maidens exacted from the Athenians as a yearly tribute to the tyranny of Minos. Theseus attacked and slew the wicked monster, and being furnished with a clue of thread by Ariadne, who was passionately devoted to him, he extricated himself from the difficult windings of the labyrinth. He afterwards married the beautiful Ariadne, and carried her away to the island of Naxos, where sad to relate he deserted her.

Ariadne was so disconsolate at this treatment, that some say she hanged herself, but Plutarch takes a more cheerful view, and claims that she lived many years after and was espoused to Bacchus, who loved her with much tenderness and gave her a crown of seven stars, which after her death was placed among the stars. Thus the constellation is often called "Ariadne's Crown."

Spenser however thinks that Theseus was the donor of the crown. In his Faerie Queen he says: