Myths Of Crete In Ancient Greece

There is a lot to know about Crete in ancient Greece. Like, early on, it was not an island but a part of the peninsula – eventually though, the waters filled in the gaps and made Crete into an island.

Crete in ancient Greece is known for the Minoan civilization and had King Minos living in the magnificent palace, Knossos. The Minoans were even believed to be more advanced than the early Greeks. They sailed around and conquered colonies. Being in a strategic position, proved to be a good place for trading. They had weapons, pottery, and clothing to trade. Also the arts in their vases showed real things as birds, and their jewelry came in forms of animals like insects.

The myths of Crete in ancient Greece prove to be as interesting as well.

One story is that of the Minotaur. This Minotaur was said to be an offspring of a goddess and a bull, thus explaining it taking the body of a human, and the head of a bull. The Minotaur, armed with a double-edged axe, was found below King Minos’ palace, in the middle of the labyrinth.

King Minos had a daughter named Ariadne, and anyone who comes near her, arouses his jealousy. Thus with Ariadne, being in love with a Greek hero named Theseus, King Minos managed to throw her daughter’s lover to the labyrinth. Fortunately though, Ariadne aided Theseus thru the help of the builder of the labyrinth named Daedalus, who designed the labyrinth. What saved Theseus was the string Ariadne provided him so that he can unwind this as he was led to the labyrinth, and thus being able to find his way back. The legend goes on to show that Theseus was successful in killing the Minotaur with his bare hands, and with the string to guide him back; he succeeded in overcoming the labyrinth.

The myth of Crete in ancient Greece moved on with Daedalus and his son Icarus thrown into the labyrinth by King Minos because of his anger with the help Daedalus provided Ariadne and Theseus. But being a smart and crafty builder, Daedalus was able to make for himself and his son, a pair of wings to escape the labyrinth. He made the wings out of wax, and it worked. He warned his son Icarus to stay near him and not go near the sun. But Icarus did not heed his father’s warning, thus the early death he caused upon himself.

These myths of Crete in ancient Greece, not only provide for amazing stories of adventure, love and pride, but it also gave out lessons to those who hear of these. Crete in ancient Greece, made itself known to the world, not only of the rich history it possessed but the legends it shared to the world.