Mythological founder-king of Athens — who killed the Minotaur in the Labyrinth of Crete, unified Attica under Athens, and instituted democratic reforms — and whom Machiavelli cited as one of the four great armed prophets alongside Moses, Romulus, and Cyrus.
Represents for Machiavelli the founding violence that establishes a new order — Theseus killed the Minotaur and unified Athens through personal excellence and force — demonstrating that every great political order rests on an original act of violence that the founder had the virtù to perform.
Discussing
Ask anything about Theseus — their ideas, influences, contradictions, legacy.
Sign in to start a conversation.