Aegeus , legendary King Of Athens , receives a false message that his designated heir Theseus , his son by Aethra of Troezena , is dead. Theseus had been sent to his overlord Minos of Crete as an offering to the Minotaur . Medus , Aegeus ' only other son (by Medea of Colchis ), had been Exile d in Asia and would become legendary ancestor to the Medes . Believing himself without heirs the King commits Suicide after a reign of 48 years. He is succeeded by Theseus , who actually still lives. The Aegean Sea is reportedly named in his honor.
