The mother of the Minotaur was Queen Pasiphae, the Greek goddess, and wife of King Minos of Crete. Is it because Minos was the character most affected by the existence of such a creature, or is this an indication of just how important the Cretan King was to Greek history? It is difficult to know. While this etymology may sound simple at first, it is worth noting that it means ancient Greeks emphasized the bull belonging to King Minos, rather than its origin in Poseidon or its placing in Crete. “Taur” is the ancient Greek word for bull, and the originator of the astrological “Taurus,” while “Mino” is simply the shortening of “Minos.” “Mino-taur” is, quite simply, “The Bull of Minos.” The origin of the word “Minotaur” is quite unsurprising. ![]() However, no other name is ever given to the Minotaur, so many storytellers give him this one. READ MORE: Jason and the Argonauts: The Myth of the Golden Fleece Asterion is said to be another King of Crete, and in another telling, a god of rivers. In other myths, Asterion (or Asterius) has been a name given to a child of Minos, a Grandchild of Minos (and son of Zeus), a Giant, and one of the Argonauts. It was doomed to wander the Labyrinth of Minos and would feed on Athenian children.Īlthough the name Asterion is sometimes given to the Minotaur, it would make for a confusing moniker. ![]() The Minotaur, child of the Queen of Crete and a God-created animal, was part bull, and part man. Are There Other Mythological Creatures like the Minotaur?.What is the Difference between a Maze and a Labyrinth?.Was King Minos the Father of the Minotaur?.
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