What is the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur?

In Crete, Minos’ daughter Ariadne fell madly in love with Theseus and helped him navigate the labyrinth. In most accounts she gave him a ball of thread, allowing him to retrace his path. According to various Classical sources and representations, Theseus killed the Minotaur with his bare hands, his club, or a sword.

Who is Minotaur in the story of Daedalus and Icarus?

The Minotaur was the offspring of the Cretan Queen Pasiphae and a majestic bull. Due to the Minotaur’s monstrous form, King Minos ordered the craftsman, Daedalus, and his son, Icarus, to build a huge maze known as the Labyrinth to house the beast.

Who wrote the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur?

Warwick Hutton
Theseus and the Minotaur by Warwick Hutton.

Why did the Minotaur eat children?

In Greek mythology, the people of Athens were at one point compelled by King Minos of Crete to choose 14 young noble citizens (seven young men and seven maidens) to be offered as sacrificial victims to the half-human, half-taurine monster Minotaur to be killed in retribution for the death of Minos’ son Androgeos.

What is a minotaurs weakness?

Although being superbly strong, the Minotaur has weaknesses. He is not very bright, and is constantly angry and hungry. He is also heavy and cannot move as fast as a normal man can. Theseus was not even born when his father, Aegeus, left for Athens.

Is Minotaur male or female?

A great beast who was half-man, half-bull. The Minotaur, also known as the Guard of the Labyrinth is a character in the old Greek philosopher’s myth. He débuts, with his appearance in around 700 BCE and usually ends at around the 9th Century.

Where did the story of Theseus and the Minotaur come from?

Story Before Bedtime presents: Theseus and the Minotaur. Derived from an Ancient Greek tragedy, this myth tells of a young Athenian prince, Theseus, who sets out on a quest to slay the Minotaur, a terrifying monster in Crete.

Who was the daughter of King Minos and the Minotaur?

Theseus was in awe of her beauty. She was the daughter of King Minos, and her name was Princess Ariadne. Theseus and Princess Ariadne looked at each other with loving eyes. Princess Ariadne knew that Theseus would be put into the labyrinth with the Minotaur. She knew that he would be eaten if she did not help him.

What did the king of Athens offer the Minotaur?

The king of Athens did not know what to do. He was desperate. He figured if he had some time, he could build a strong navy, strong enough to send King Minos packing the next time he attacked Athens. The king of Athens offered King Minos a deal.

Why did the boys get eaten by the Minotaur?

Since the labyrinth was a maze, the boys and girls could not escape, so they would be eaten by the Minotaur. In the third year, the son of the King of Athens told his father that he wanted to be one of the 7 boys who was sent to the island of Crete. This man was named Theseus.