Minotaur
The Minotaur (Μινώταυρος) was a monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man. The Minotaur or Asterius (its name at birth) was the son of the Cretan Bull and Pasiphaë (Pasiphae), the wife of King Minos of Crete.
Minos confined the Minotaur in the Labyrinth. To punish Aegeus for the death of his son, Minos required seven Athenian youth and seven maidens as tribute and sacrifices to the monster, every seven years.
Minotaur
George Frederick Watts
Oil on canvas, 1877-1886
Tate Gallery, London
The Athenian hero Theseus, aided by Ariadne the daughter of Minos, was able to leave the Labyrinth after killing the Minotaur. See Theseus.
The geographer Pausanias reported one of the many scenes of Bathycles’ carving on the Spartan throne, mentioning that Theseus had captured the Minotaur alive and bound it in fetters. Apart from this one reference, all other sources said that Theseus killed the Minotaur, not captured the creature.
Related Information
Name
Minotaur, Μινώταυρος – "Bull of Minos".
Minotaur, Asterius, Asterios.
