Aegean

Pronunciation pronunciation key
ijeeăn

Definition 
The sea, part of the Mediterranean, between Greece and Turkey. It was named after Aegeus, king of Athens and father of the hero Theseus. According to Greek mythology, before Theseus sailed to Crete to bring about an end to the payments Athens had to pay to King Minos, he promised his father that if he was successful, he would hoist white sails on his return to indicate that he was safe. If he perished, then his ship would hoist black sails, and Aegeus would know his son was dead. Unfortunately, on his return Theseus forgot his promise and his ship sailed in with black sails. Seeing this and presuming his son dead, Aegeus threw himself into the sea, which has borne his name ever since. "After an extended cruise in the Aegean and the Black Sea on their steam-yacht Ibis, Mr. and Mrs. Mortimer Hicks and their daughter are established at the Nouveau Luxe in Rome" (Edith Wharton, Glimpses of the Moon, 1922).