Cretan Myths and Legends on the births of Zeus, Minos, and the Minotaur
In this article, we will focus on telling the stories of how Zeus, Minos, and the Minotaur were born on the sacred island of Crete.
Furthermore, we will suggest tours that are linked to each one of these myths, so you can experience the legends through the actual locations where they took place.
Many of the most fascinating Greek myths have their origins in Crete. During the heyday of the Minoan Civilization, Crete emerged as a dominant naval power in the Mediterranean, spreading the first great European civilization.
Apart from Crete being the birthplace of the great Minoan Civilization, we have evidence that Crete was also the birthplace of three mythological figures, Zeus, Minos, and the Minotaur. Let’s begin to unravel these stories by starting with the God of all Gods, Zeus.
The Birth of Zeus
During the period of the flourishing of the Minoan Civilization, in the myths, we trace the beginning of the Greek Pantheon. The oldest of these refers to the unusual birth of the Great Father god Zeus.
According to mythology, Saturn, son of Uranus and Gaia, marries Rhea’s sister, who gives birth to many children. But because Uranus has told him that he will be dethroned by one of his children, he swallows all his newborn children in an attempt to prevent destiny.
Therefore, Rea, who could no longer bear to see her children perish, when she realized that the time had come for her to give birth, came to Crete where she gave birth to Zeus in a cave in the mountains (in Dikteo Cave in the Lassithi mountains – or according to others in Ideo Cave in Psiloritis).
The protection and upbringing of the baby were undertaken by the Idei Daktyli and the Kourites and the goat-nymph Amalthea along with three other nymphs and other creatures of nature. The myth reports that the Kourites danced a war dance and struck their swords with their shields to cover the cry of the newborn baby. Rhea then presented Saturn with a swollen stone, telling him that this was their last child and he swallowed it.
The Mysteries of the Cretan-Born Zeus – Experience by Elissos
Your day will start with the traditional village of Arolithos. There, you will have the chance to explore the architecture of a typical mountainous Cretan village. You will visit several of the old-style Houses and the Folk Art Museum. You will enjoy a Greek coffee in the village’s central square. For the lovers of interactive Folk Art, workshops will be there for you! You are welcome to try traditional themes such as Weaving, Mosaics making, Kneading, or even Cretan Cooking Classes.
After being driven through unique mountainous scenery and several traditional villages, you will reach the beautiful Plateau of Ida. An amazing moderate hike (20 min each way) to the Sacred Cave of Ida will start! You will visit the second biggest Cave of Crete, connected with the Cretan-born Zeus and his worshiping. The ritual use of the Cave goes back to 6,000BC, while Idaion Andron was also one of the most important Peak Sanctuaries for the worshiping of the prehistoric Minoan Goddess.
Have you ever thought of a local meal in a “mitato” stone-built Shepherd’s Hut on the top of the mountains?! This is your chance! You will enjoy breathtaking views and taste the traditional mountain Cuisine, consisting of local specialties and the famous “antikristo” lamb roasted especially.
You will reach your journey’s last stop, the traditional village of Anogia. This village played a leading role during the Second World War. It has been one of the island’s most authentic and revolutionary areas. It has also been the birthplace of a series of Cretan music composers and music players. You will visit the small museum of traditional instruments and the house museum of N. Xylouris, one of the greatest Lyra players and composers of Greece.
Zeus, Europe & the birth of Minos
The myth of Zeus and Europe contains historical echoes of Crete’s relations with the East. It explains why here on the island of Crete, is the first civilization in Europe.
Crete is the mother of European culture. Zeus, Europe, and the birth of the Minotaur. When Zeus grew up, he fell in love with Europe, the daughter of the king of Phenicia. The young god, mad with love, wanted to conquer her with cunning. He transformed into a beautiful white bull and lay down in front of her on the shore where she was playing. The girl sat on his back and immediately he sank into the sea and swam to Crete.
According to a tradition, they tasted love in the shade of a plane tree in Gortyna. It is said that three sons were born from this union: Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Sarpidonas. They were adopted and raised by Asterios, the king of Crete, who married their mother Europa.
South Crete Magic – Experience by Elissos
Υοur day will start with a visit to the second biggest Minoan Palace of Crete, the Minoan Palace of Phaistos, the residence of the mythical brother of Minos, Rhadamanthus. A unique “prehistoric city” of 8.000 sq.m. spread over the three stepped terraces of the hill, dating back to 2. 000bc, which has been barely touched by archaeological restorations. Around the palace arose once the extensive city of Phaistos, which continued to flourish until Hellenistic times (323-67 BC).
Υοur next stop will be the Minoan Royal Villa of Ag Triada. Where amazing Minoan and Mycenean prehistoric layers brought to light a big number of unique artifacts such as the famous Ag Triada sarcophagus and the boxing Ryton, today in the Archaeology Museum of Heraklion.
An optional lunch stop in the small town of Matala is recommended. It is a quite artistic area, renowned for its natural caves and beautiful beach, especially beloved by the hippies back in the late ’60s.
Υοur final stop will be the old Roman capital of Crete, the town of Gortys. Gortys was the most powerful and prosperous city of Crete during the Hellenistic era. When it took hegemony of the island, dominating the entire valley of Messara. Under Roman Rule, it became the capital of the joint province of Creta et Cyrenaica. There, the oldest Roman theater on Crete was excavated together with the oldest codified law system in Europe among other unique historic and legendary monuments, such as the evergreen Plane tree of Crete, unique in the world (Platanus Orientalis).
The Minoan king of Crete & the birth of the Minotaur
Minos seems to have been the title of king of Knossos and Crete, like that of Pharaoh in Egypt. It symbolized the powerful ruler, the divinely inspired legislator, the just judge of the Upper and Lower World. But also the cultural and political sovereign of much of the Greek and Aegean world.
Minos, the king of Crete. The myth of the Minotaur
After the death of Asterios, Minos wanted to succeed him on the throne. When he met the reaction of the Cretans, he asked the god Poseidon to help him by sending a sign to convince the locals that he had his favor. He sent a beautiful white bull that came out of the depths of the sea. Poseidon expected that Minos would sacrifice the bull as soon as he ascended the throne acknowledging his help.
But he, enchanted by the beauty of the animal, did not want to leave it and kept it in Knossos. This angered Poseidon who, wanting revenge, made Pasiphae, Minos‘ wife, fall madly in love with the bull. Unfortunately, the bull did not respond to the love of the queen who in her despair took refuge in Daedalus. He made a wooden cow, hollow inside, where he advised Pasiphae to hide while waiting for the bull.
In nine months, a monstrous creature was born with a human body and a bull’s head. The famous Minotaur.
Knossos Palace and Heraklion Archaeology Museum – Experience by Elissos
You start your day visiting the most important archaeological site on Crete and the second most visited archaeological site in the country. The Minoan palace of Knossos, the mythical Labyrinth of Hommer. Concentrating on the prehistoric era of the island, revealing its unique historic course, and penetrating its ancient prehistoric cult, arts, and ritual practices, you will be visiting an amazing area of 22.000sq meters.
Your journey into prehistoric times is being completed by visiting the biggest prehistoric collection of artifacts in Greece. The archaeological museum of Heraklion, where you can see at close range all treasures from all Minoan palaces excavated on Crete.