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The Minotaur
The Minotaur was a large creature with the body of a human and the
head of a bull. It lived in the centre of the labyrinth, a large maze
designed by architect Daedalus and his son Icarus for Minos, the king of
Crete. After he ascended the throne of Crete, Minos competed with his
brothers for the throne. He asked Poseidon to give him a white bull to
show his support. He was meant to kill the bull to show honour to the
gods, but he angered the god by keeping it for himself.
The Minotaur is best remembered in the legend of Theseus, who was a
hero and king of Athens. The king of Minos’ son had been killed by the
Athenians. As punishment, the city had to send seven young men and
seven young women to Minos every seven years, and they were given
as a sacrifice to the Minotaur. They were killed and eaten in the
labyrinth. It was eventually killed by the Athenian Theseus, who vowed
to end the deaths. Minos’ daughter Ariandne loved Theseus and helped
him find his way by giving him a ball of thread which he used to follow
his way back out of the maze once the beast was dead.