In Greek mythology, Ariadne was a Cretan princess and the daughter of King Minos of Crete. She is known for helping Theseus escape the Minotaur.

Most accounts claim that Theseus abandoned Ariadne on the island of Naxos, and in some versions Perseus mortally wounds her. According to some, Dionysus claimed Ariadne as wife, therefore causing Theseus to abandon her.

In Hesiod and most other versions, Theseus abandoned Ariadne sleeping on Naxos, and Dionysus rediscovered and wedded her.

According to Plutarch, there was a version of the myth in which Ariadne hanged herself after being abandoned by Theseus. Dionysus then went to Hades, and brought her and his mother Semele to Mount Olympus, where they were deified.

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