King Minos is a shadowy figure in Greek mythology. His mother was a Phoenician princess named Europa. One day, while walking among her father’s herd, she encountered a snow white bull who with which she began to play. The girl draped the bull in garlands of flowers and rode on his back. This continued until the bull waded into the sea with Europa on his back, and carried her away to the island of Crete. For the bull was none other than Zeus. The story goes that Zeus made Europa into one of his many mistresses. They had three sons: Minos, Rhadamanthus and Sarpedon. Rhadamanthus was later driven from Crete by his jealous brother, Minos. He migrated to Boetia in central Greece where is is said to have become the tutor of Hercules.

The Greek historian Thucydides, writing much later (and more soberly) says that Minos was the first to establish a navy and put an end to piracy in the Mediterranean.

But as soon as Minos had formed his navy, communication by sea became easier, as he colonized most of the islands, and thus expelled the evildoers. The coast populations bow began to apply themselves more closely to the acquisition of wealth, and their life became more settled; some even began to build themselves walls on the strength of their newly acquired riches. For the ove of gain would reconcile the weaker to the dominon of the stronger, and the possession of captial enabled the more powerful to reduce the smaller cities to subjection. And it was at a somewhat later stage of this development that they went on the expedition against Troy.¹Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War, 1.8

We can perhaps glean further information from Herodotus, who tells us that after the death of King Minos, Crete was invaded by the Greeks. Herodotus further adds that the grandchildren of Minos (and Rhadamanthos) fought in the Trojan War. Upon their return to Crete, having won a costly victory over Troy, they were met with pestilence and famine. Only a remnant of the Cretans survived. Crete was settled again for a third time, which were the inhabitants of Crete in Herodotus’ day. ²Herodotos: The History, VII.170-171

Such are the fragments of history gleaned from Greek legend and the accounts left behind by ancient historians. These records are relatively late, but they preserve some important information. For example, Herodotus records that the Greeks invaded Crete some time before the Trojan War. This statement is in accord with the archaeological evidence which shows that at some point around 1300 BC, the Greeks did indeed invade Crete.

Sir Arthur Evans

It wasn’t until the early 20th century that archaeologists began to excavate at the ancient site of Knossos on Crete.

To the suprise and wonder of all, a mighty B and discovered a Bronze Age civilization. and gave us another glimpse into the ancient history of Crete.

Apart from these fragments, nothing was known about Greece or Crete prior to the classical era.

The Labyrinth

The palace at Knossos lacks any semblance of symmetry or orderly planning. Its maze of rooms and corridors are truly labyrinthine.

According to Greek legend, Pasiphaë, the wife of Minos, mothered a monster, a Minotaur, that was kept in a maze below the palace. Greek children from the mainland were sacrificed to this monster every seven years. The Greek hero Thesus put an end to this awful practice by killing the Minotaur with the aid of Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos.

Pausanius

“Minos sailed against Athens with a fleet, not believing that the Athenians were innocent of the death of Androgeos, and sorely harassed them until it was agreed that he should take seven maidens and seven boys for the Minotaur that was said to dwell in the Labyrinth at Cnossus (Knossos).”

LM III Linear B tablets from palace at Knossos refer to a divine Lady/Mistress of the Labyrinth. 

King Minos is a shadowy figure in Greek mythology. His mother was a Phoenician princess named Europa. One day, while walking among her father’s herd, she encountered a snow white bull who with which she began to play. The girl draped the bull in garlands of flowers and rode on his back. This continued until the bull waded into the sea with Europa on his back, and carried her away to the island of Crete. For the bull was none other than Zeus. The story goes that Zeus made Europa into one of his many mistresses. They had three sons: Minos, Rhadamanthus and Sarpedon. Rhadamanthus was later driven from Crete by his jealous brother, Minos. He migrated to Boetia in central Greece where is is said to have become the tutor of Hercules.

The Greek historian Thucydides, writing much later (and more soberly) says that Minos was the first to establish a navy and put an end to piracy in the Mediterranean.

But as soon as Minos had formed his navy, communication by sea became easier, as he colonized most of the islands, and thus expelled the evildoers. The coast populations bow began to apply themselves more closely to the acquisition of wealth, and their life became more settled; some even began to build themselves walls on the strength of their newly acquired riches. For the ove of gain would reconcile the weaker to the dominon of the stronger, and the possession of captial enabled the more powerful to reduce the smaller cities to subjection. And it was at a somewhat later stage of this development that they went on the expedition against Troy.¹Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War, 1.8

We can perhaps glean further information from Herodotus, who tells us that after the death of King Minos, Crete was invaded by the Greeks. Herodotus further adds that the grandchildren of Minos (and Rhadamanthos) fought in the Trojan War. Upon their return to Crete, having won a costly victory over Troy, they were met with pestilence and famine. Only a remnant of the Cretans survived. Crete was settled again for a third time, which were the inhabitants of Crete in Herodotus’ day. ²Herodotos: The History, VII.170-171

Such are the fragments of history gleaned from Greek legend and the accounts left behind by ancient historians. These records are relatively late, but they preserve some important information. For example, Herodotus records that the Greeks invaded Crete some time before the Trojan War. This statement is in accord with the archaeological evidence which shows that at some point around 1300 BC, the Greeks did indeed invade Crete.

Sir Arthur Evans

It wasn’t until the early 20th century that archaeologists began to excavate at the ancient site of Knossos on Crete.

To the suprise and wonder of all, a mighty B and discovered a Bronze Age civilization. and gave us another glimpse into the ancient history of Crete.

Apart from these fragments, nothing was known about Greece or Crete prior to the classical era.

The Labyrinth

The palace at Knossos lacks any semblance of symmetry or orderly planning. Its maze of rooms and corridors are truly labyrinthine.

According to Greek legend, Pasiphaë, the wife of Minos, mothered a monster, a Minotaur, that was kept in a maze below the palace. Greek children from the mainland were sacrificed to this monster every seven years. The Greek hero Thesus put an end to this awful practice by killing the Minotaur with the aid of Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos.

Pausanius

“Minos sailed against Athens with a fleet, not believing that the Athenians were innocent of the death of Androgeos, and sorely harassed them until it was agreed that he should take seven maidens and seven boys for the Minotaur that was said to dwell in the Labyrinth at Cnossus (Knossos).”

LM III Linear B tablets from palace at Knossos refer to a divine Lady/Mistress of the Labyrinth.