|According to Greek Mythology, the Aegean Sea owes its name to
the King of Athens, Aigeas (Aegeas). King Minos 'Minoas' of
Crete in order to punish the Athenians who had killed his son
Androgeo, declared war on Athens and won. The Athenians
subsequently became subjects of the Minoan Empire. King Minos
then demanded that a tribute of honour be paid. At nine year
intervals, seven Athenian boys and seven Athenian girls were to
be sacrificed. They were to be sent to Crete and devoured by the
mythical Minotaur, a monster with the body of a man and the head
of a bull, who lived in Thiseas, the son of Aigeas and Aithra,
decided that he would slaughter the Minotaur and end the
shameful bloody sacrifices. He took the place of one of the
seven young men and set sail for Crete. Before he left, it was
agreed with his father Aigeas that they would hoist black sails
as a 'show' of mourning, but that if they were successful and
slayed the monster, they would hoist white sails on the journey
home. On his journey he met and f