A is for Ariadne

Ariadne is an easily forgotten and over looked character in Greek mythology, but still one of my favorites. She is the daughter of King Minos and Queen Pasiphae. She was put in charge of the Minotaur's labyrinth, where she helped Theseus slay the Minotaur and  subsequently saving the Athenian's that were sent into the labyrinth as sacrifice. Myths vary in regards to the extent of Ariadne's assistance, however it is safe to say she told Theseus how to make his way thought her labyrinth and also gave him a spool of thread. Ariadne's thread was tied to the entrance as Theseus went deeper and deeper into the labyrinth he unraveled the thread so that he would always be able to find his way back.

Tiziano "Titian" Vecelli's Bacchus and Ariadne on Naxos

After helping Theseus slay her half brother, Ariadne couldn't vary well hang around on Crete, so she sailed off with Theseus. However Theseus being the narcissistic male hero he is, he abandoned Ariadne on the island of Naxos, where upon Dionysus found her.

I adore Ariadne not for who she is as a character in mythology but for what she unintentionally accomplishes.  Dionysus, the god of wine  marries Ariadne, who changes him. She clearly isn't the best of women, helping a man kill her half brother (half bull that brother maybe), running away with that man who leaves her to fend for herself on an island. She isn't the "most pure" as her name would imply, yet she tamed the god of wine, she became his faithful wife, and bore he twelve children. As a human she made mistakes, she backed the wrong horse now and again, but as a goddess, as the wife of Dionysus she was her "most pure" and "most holy."