On one of their island-stops on the long journey home, Theseus was so busy rejoicing in celebratory drinks and laughter that he slept the entire next day without realizing that they had left Princess Ariadne ashore.

Dionysus the god of wineIn Athenian retellings of this legend, however, it is said that Athena came to Theseus with another god of Olympus named Dionysus. The two gods told Theseus that the gods destined Dionysus to marry Ariadne and would not let Theseus wed her.

Cretans are convinced that Theseus merely abandoned their Princess.

Whatever you believe, Ariadne lived a life of divine treasure and married Dionysus, the god of wine, on the island of Naxos where she was left.


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