Aethra (bright sky) In Greek mythology, mother of Theseus by Aegeus or, according to another account, by Poseidon. Homer mentions her as a servant to Helen at Troy, but later Greek myth adds that when the Dioscuri took Aphidnae and set free their sister, whom Theseus had carried off, they brought Aethra to Sparta as a slave. She then accompanied Helen to Troy. When the city fell, she brought her grandsons Acamas and Demophon back to Athens. Hyginus’s Fabulae (myths, 37) tells her story.
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow-Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante