The Temple of Poseidon at Cape Sounion

Sunset at Sounion 1994

Sunset at Sounion 1998

Site of Aegeus’ Suicidal Plunge???

As the story goes, Aegeus anxiously waited at Cape Sounion for his son Theseus to return from Crete, where he planned to dispatch the monster Minotaur or die trying. A signal had been pre-arranged: white sails upon return would indicate victory; black sails, defeat and mourning. For various reasons, Theseus forgot to change the sails to white and at first sight of the ship, grief-stricken Aegeus plunged into the sea which bears his name. This does appear to be the most likely spot for a fatal plunge.