Do you know the Story of the Minotaur? This Mythological Being was one of the most well-known figures within Greek Mythology and is still remembered today as a Horrendous being!
The Minotaur is a character in Greek Mythology whose most traditional representation among the ancient Greeks was a creature with the head of a bull on a man's body. The Roman author Ovid described it simply as "part man and part bull". He lived in the center of a Labyrinth, an elaborate building built for King Minos of Crete, and designed by the architect Daedalus and his son, Ícaro specifically to house the creature. The historic site of Knossos, with more than 1300 labyrinth-like compartments, has already been identified as the location of the Minotaur's labyrinth, although there is no evidence to confirm or demyst this speculation. In the myth, the Minotaur subsequently dies at the hands of the Athenian hero Theseus.
The term Minotaur comes from the ancient Greek Μῑνώταυρος, composed etymologically by the name Μίνως (Minos) and the noun ταύρος ("bull"), and can be translated as "(the) Bull of Minos". In Crete, the Minotaur was known by his own name, Asterius, a name he shared with Minos' adopted father. Originally, Minotauro was only used as a proper name, referring to this mythical figure. The use of minotaurs as a common noun that designates members of a fictional and generic race of anthropogenic creatures with bull heads emerged much later, in the fantasy genre of the 20th century.
Considered a frightening mythological figure, legend has it that Minotaur, son of the King of Minos, was born on the island of Crete.
He was born from the union between his mother, Pasífae and a white bull, who according to Poseidon, king of the seas, his father should kill him the moment he arrived.
The King of Minos, certain that Poseidon would not notice the difference between the bulls, ended up sacrificing another animal. That's because the moment he observed the white bull, the king decided not to kill him because he was amazed and enchanted by its beauty.
It is worth remembering that this episode arises when Minos, wishing to be the King of Crete, makes a request to the King of the Seas, Poseidon. He accepts the request, but on the condition that he sacrifices the bull that would come out of the sea.
However, Poseidon, unhappy with the King of Minos' act of betrayal, decides to curse him. In such a way, his wife falls in love with the white bull, who refused to sacrifice him.
Thus, Pasífae falls in love with the bull and with him a bizarre and ferocious creature is born: the Minotaur.
For that, the King of Minos, concerned with the consequences that this creature would bring to his people and his city, decides to build a labyrinth.
The labyrinth was built in the city of Knossos, Greece, in the basement of the Palace of Minos, which, however, was built by the architect and inventor Dédalo.
Consequently, Minos defeats Athena, goddess of arts and wisdom, killing one of his sons. From that, in revenge, the Goddess decides to send 7 Athenian women and 7 men to the Minotaur's labyrinth every year in order to kill the creature.
During 3 years many Athenian men and women were sacrificed. Some were devoured by the Minotaur or lost in its labyrinth.
Thus, Theseus, considered one of the greatest Greek heroes, son of the Aegean King, decides to go to Crete and face the Minotaur.
However, when he arrives, he falls in love with Ariadne, daughter of the King of Minos, who grants him a ball of wool and a magic sword in order to face the creature.
Theseus faces Minotauro and ends up winning the fight. So he manages to get out of the maze due to the wool thread given by his beloved and left during the route to mark the exit.
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