Theseus

Theseus was a legendary Greek hero and king, perhaps best known for fighting the Minotaur. The Fourth Doctor claimed to have given Theseus the ball of string he used to find his way around the labyrinth. (DW: The Creature from the Pit) He later claimed to have forgotten to remind Theseus to paint his ship white. (DW: The Horns of Nimon)

On Xeros, Ian Chesterton was inspired by the story of Theseus to unravel Barbara Wright's cardigan and use it to find a way out of the Space Museum. (DW: The Space Museum)

The Doctor, Zoe and Jamie used a ball of twine to enter the Minotaur's maze, just as Theseus had done. (DW: The Mind Robber)