10 Interesting Facts about the Minotaur

Facts about The Minotaur talk about the creature which has the body of a man and a head of a bull. Ovid the famous Roman poet described Minotaur as a part man and part bull. Minotaur was introduced in the Greek mythology.

Facts about The Minotaur 1: place of living

King Minos of Crete gave the order to the architect Daedalus and his son Icarus to create an elaborate maze like construction as the place of the living for Minotaur. This creature lived in the center of the labyrinth.

Facts about the Minotaur 2: Theseus

Minotaur was very strong. But Theseus, an Athenian hero killed this big and powerful creature.

Minotaur Facts

Facts about The Minotaur 3: the word Minotaur

The word Minotaur was taken from the ancient Greek word. It means Bull of Minos. If you check out the mythology, the proper name of Minotaur in Crete was Asterion.

Facts about The Minotaur 4: King Minos and his reign

King Minos ruled the Island of Crete after he competed with his brother. To get the sign of support from the Cretan bull, Minos prayed to the sea god, Poseidon to give him a snow white bull. Instead of killing the bull for the sacrifice, King Minos kept it because of the beauty of the bull.

The Minotaur

Facts about The Minotaur 5: King Minos, his wife and the bull

King Minos made mistake by keeping the bull. Actually he should sacrifice it to the god. Poseidon was angry and punished him by making his wife; Pasiphae fell in love with the bull. She mated the white bull. Their offspring was Minotaur.

Facts about The Minotaur 6: Minotaur and his mother

Minotaur was nursed by Pashipae. When he grew older, this bull became powerful and ferocious. He behaved like a beast. Minos asked Daedalus to create a gigantic labyrinth to hold Minotaur. The location was near his palace. Get facts about Loch Ness monster here.

Facts about the Minotaur

Facts about The Minotaur 7: depiction in classical art

If you check out the classical art, it was depicted as a man with the tail and head of a bull.

Facts about The Minotaur 8: the depiction of Minotaur in Renaissance art

If you check out the painting or art during the Renaissance era, this Minotaur was often depicted in the center of a labyrinth. Find out another mythological character in Zeus facts.