I love the fact that Theseus was created by Athens specifically to be their mascot and little hero to point to for bragging rights and to upstage Heracles.
Like, in context with Hades Theseus, this could explain so much and add a good amount to his character. Why is he such an arrogant asshole that acts like he's gonna win even though he fails against Zagreus so much? Why does he have a jealous fit when Asterius spends too much time with Zagreus?
Well, when you dedicate your life being your kingdom's golden boy and one of your sole purposes is to be a mascot, and your paradise is winning in front of a crowd over and over and over, that's bound to give you some sort of complex.
Theseus gets pretty defensive over his repetitive victory afterlife too, and whenever Zagreus mentions Heracles that one time, Theseus is all "Oh you think you can provoke my insecurities by mentioning him!" Which, to me, kinda confirms he is insecure about Heracles.
I'm just rotating him in my brain
















