The true history of the Minotaur: what archaeology reveals

9 days ago

The Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull creature, was imprisoned in a labyrinth by King Minos of Crete and fed on human sacrifices from Athens.
Theseus, an Athenian hero, volunteered to enter the labyrinth, killed the Minotaur, and freed the Athenian youths with the help of Ariadne's thread.
The myth of the Minotaur has roots in Bronze Age Minoan culture, where bulls and labyrinth motifs were prominent.
Archaeological findings, including pottery and frescoes, depict the Minotaur and Theseus, showing the myth's cultural significance.
The term 'Minotaur' and the labyrinth may derive from Minoan symbols and practices, such as bull-leaping and the labrys (double axe).
The myth symbolizes the shift of power from Crete to mainland Greece and was later used to represent Athens' triumph over Persia.

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