The Minotaur

Before he took over the throne of Crete, Minos competed with his brothers for right

to rule. Minos begged Posiedon to send him a snow-white bull, as a sign of

approval by the gods of his reign. He promised to sacrifice the bull as an offering,

as a symbol of humility. The next day a beautiful white bull arose from the sea. But

when Minos saw it he coveted for himself. He assumed Posiedon would not mind,

so he kept it for himself, and sacrificed the best bull of his own herd instead. When

Posiedon learned of what Minos had done he thought of an idea. Posiedon made

Minos wife, Pasipha, fall madly in love with the bull. Phasipha and the bull soon

had a son, a monster named Minotaur.

The creature had the head and a tail of a bull, and the body of a man. The beast

caused such terror, that they built an inescapable labyrinth. They soon trapped

Minotaur inside. Every year for nine years, seven youths and maidens were sent

into the labyrinth for the Minotaur to feast on, as a tribute from Athens. When

Theseus heard of this he wanted it ended. He volunteered to be sent in as a

sacrifice. Theseus took in a simple ball of yarn. And while he was looking for the

beast, he unwound the yarn on the ground wherever he went. He soon found

Minotaur and beat him to death. Then Theseus and the others followed the yarn to

the exit, and were free.

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