10 Interesting the Minotaur Facts
Get the information about a creature with the head of a bull and a body of man on the Minotaur facts. It was depicted by Ovid, the notable Roman poet as part man and part bull. This creature is significant in Greek mythology. There was a complex maze like construction or a labyrinth dwelled by the Minotaur. The architect Daedalus and his son Icarus designed the labyrinth. The construction was commissioned by King Minos of Crete. The Athenian hero Theseus finally killed this creature. Here are other interesting facts about the Minotaur to note:
The Minotaur Facts 1: the usage of the term Minotaur
The term Minotaur was used to call the mythical figure. But during the 20th century, the term was used to call a generic species of bull-headed creatures.
The Minotaur Facts 2: the throne of Crete
Minos had to compete with his brother to get the throne of Crete.
The Minotaur Facts 3: a snow white bull
Minos gave his pray for Poseidon to get the throne. To support him, Poseidon sent him a Cretan Bull or a snow white bull. At first, Minos had the intention to kill the bull for honoring the deity. Since he was impressed with the beauty of the bull, he kept it. Find facts about Poseidon here.
The Minotaur Facts 4: the sacrifice
Instead of sacrificing the white bull, Minos killed one of his bulls for the sacrifice. He believed that Poseidon would not care about it.
The Minotaur Facts 5: punishment
Because of his act, he was punished by Poseidon. He made Minos’ wife Pasiphaë fell in love with the white bull. She mated with the bull. Minotaur was the offspring of Pasiphaë and the white bull.
The Minotaur Facts 6: the characters of Minotaur
Minotaur was not killed for Pasiphaë nursed him. As it grew, Minotaur was ferocious. He needed to eat human for survival. Look at facts about Pegasus here.
The Minotaur Facts 7: a gigantic labyrinth
The oracle at Delphi gave an advice that Minos had to construct a gigantic labyrinth to keep the Minotaur. The location of the labyrinth was close to the palace of Minos in Knossos.
The Minotaur Facts 8: the feast for Minotaur
Every 7th or 9th year, there would be seven Athenians youths and seven maidens sent to the labyrinth as the feast of Minotaur.
The Minotaur Facts 9: the third sacrifice
Theseus became the volunteer to kill Minotaur during the 3rd sacrifice. If he failed killing the monster, he told his father Aegeus that the crew would put the black sails. On the other hand, the white sails would be a sign that he was successful killing Minotaur.
The Minotaur Facts 10: Ariadne
Ariadne was the daughter of Minos who deeply fell in love with Theseus. She helped him to access the labyrinth in Crete.
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