Cretewas considered a mythical island since the antiquity, which is why it was related to many stories that constituted the Greek mythology. The amazing beauty and the strong aura of this legendary island created many myths about it. Did you know that Crete was said to be the birthplace of Zeus? Before spending your vacation on our island, read the captivating mythology of this special place and get ready to dive into a unique world! Read below a few of the myths that originated from Crete:
Ideon Andron: The refuge of Zeus
According to the ancient Greek mythology, Ideon Andron, a cave located 20 km from Anogeia Village in a close distance to Rethymno Town,was the place where Zeus was raised. When Zeus and his mother were hiding from Cronus, father of Zeus, who wanted to kill him, they found refuge in this cave. Archaeologists have revealed many votive offerings in that cave, from the ancient times, like shields, spears and gold figures. The legend says that a goat with the name Amalthea, raised Zeus in Ideon Andron by feeding him her milk. WhenCretewas attacked by a giant lizard, Zeus protected the island and threw a lightning bolt against the threat, turning the beast into a stone island called Dia.
Paximadia: The birthplace of Apollo and Artemis
Mythology says that Crete was the birthplace of the Greek god twins, Apollo and Artemis, who were born in the nearby islets of Paximadia. Apollo and Artemis were considered, along with Zeus, to be the Gods that protectedCrete. A few years ago, archaeologists excavated in ancient Aptera two stunning sculptures of Apollo and Artemis that show their presence and worship inCrete.
King Minos and the Minotaur
Another Cretan myth related to the Greek mythology is that of King Minos and its palace. The ancient architect Daedalus had built the palace’s labyrinth, where the notorious creature Minotaur lived. Minotaur was the monster, which was created by the union of a bull and the wife of Minos, Pasiphae. Daedalus and his son, Icarus, kept captive there, but they managed to escape by making wings from feathers and wax. However, Icarus flew so close to the sun that the wax melted, the wings were destroyed, and he fell into the sea, near the island, which took his name, Icaria.
Theseus and the love story with Ariadne
Minotaur, from the previous myth above, was eventually concurred by the Athenian, Theseus thanks to the help of Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos. Theseus was one of the ten young men and women, who were sent fromAthensevery nine years to be eaten by the Minotaur. This was the compensation thatAthenshad to pay, because the city-state was defeated by Crete in the war. Theseus managed to not get lost in the labyrinth and killed the Minotaur thanks to Ariadne, who fell in love with the beautiful man and gave him a sword and a ball of thread to find his way out of the labyrinth.
FAQs
According to mythology, the great god Zeus was born in Crete. His father, Cronos, had learned that he was destined to be overcome by his own sons, as he had overcome his own father Uranus. Because of this, when his children were born he devoured them immediately.
Is the labyrinth of Crete real? ›
The Cretan, said to have been built by Daedalus on the plan of the Egyptian, is famous for its connection with the legend of the Minotaur. It is doubtful whether it ever had any real existence.
Is Zeus buried on Crete? ›
Site 5: Yuchtas mount - the burial place of Zeus
The sacred Mount Yuchtas is the final resting place of the greatest God of Greek Antiquity. Whilst the claim of Crete to be the birthplace of Zeus has been widely accepted, the myth that the god also died and was buried in the island is unique to Crete.
What kind of monster does Theseus defeat on Crete? ›
Theseus, determined to end Minoan dominance, volunteered to be one of the sacrificial youths. On Crete, Theseus seduced Minos' daughter, Ariadne, who conspired to help him kill the Minotaur and escape by giving him a ball of yarn to unroll as he moved throughout the labyrinth (90.12a,b).
Why is Crete so important? ›
Crete was the center of Europe's first advanced civilization, the Minoans, from 2700 to 1420 BC. The Minoan civilization was overrun by the Mycenaean civilization from mainland Greece.
What god was born on Crete? ›
The mightiest of all the twelve Olympian gods of Greece, Zeus, calls Crete his birthplace. The twin gods, Apollo and Artemis, came to be on the small Paximadia islets on the southern coast of Crete according to local mythology, albeit Hesiod puts them on Delos.
What is the monster of the Cretan labyrinth? ›
In Greek myth, the Minotaur was a monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man who was imprisoned in a dark underground labyrinth at Knossos on the Aegean island of Crete. The Labyrinth was an ingenious maze commissioned by King Minos and designed by the architect Daedalus.
Was King Minos a real person? ›
It's possible that King Minos was a real person or even persons. There may have been two kings by the name of Minos. "Minos" may also be a dynastic title given to rulers of the island of Crete during the time of the Minoan civilization during the Bronze Age.
Who is Zeus according to the Bible? ›
NLT They decided that Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and that Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. KJV And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. NKJV And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
Is there any historical evidence of Greek mythology? ›
Archaeological sources
The evidence about myths and rituals at Mycenaean and Minoan sites is entirely monumental, as the Linear B script (an ancient form of Greek found in both Crete and mainland Greece) was used mainly to record inventories, although certain names of gods and heroes have been tentatively identified.
The Three Graces were three daughters of Zeus who personified grace, beauty and charm. Hesiod, in the 'Theogony', names them as Aglaia, Euphrosyne and Thalia.
Who killed Theseus? ›
Failing to quell the outbreak, Theseus sent his children to Euboea, and after solemnly cursing the Athenians he sailed away to the island of Scyros. But Lycomedes, king of Scyros, killed Theseus by casting him into the sea from the top of a cliff.
Who fell in love with Theseus? ›
Ariadne, in Greek mythology, daughter of Pasiphae and the Cretan king Minos. She fell in love with the Athenian hero Theseus and, with a thread or glittering jewels, helped him escape the Labyrinth after he slew the Minotaur, a beast half bull and half man that Minos kept in the Labyrinth.
Can you visit the Minotaur Labyrinth? ›
Home to the legendary labyrinth where Theseus killed the Minotaur, the Palace of Knossos dates back almost 4,000 years. From elegant wall paintings to sophisticated bathing pools, discover the lost civilization that built this majestic complex on a small-group tour with a licensed guide.
What is the spiritual significance of Crete? ›
This epistle highlights the presence of early Christianity in Crete and underscores the island's role in the spread of the Christian faith. Furthermore, Crete holds biblical significance through its association with the Apostle Paul himself.
What is the significance of Crete in ancient Greece? ›
An important member of the Greek world in the Archaic period, Crete dipped a little in significance during the Classical period but was again a major cultural centre in Roman times when it was a province within the Roman empire and centre of early Christianity.
What is the mythical creature of Crete? ›
In Greek myth, the Minotaur was a monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man who was imprisoned in a dark underground labyrinth at Knossos on the Aegean island of Crete. The Labyrinth was an ingenious maze commissioned by King Minos and designed by the architect Daedalus.
What goddess is associated with Crete? ›
The Cretans worshipped Amalthea and Rhea, Zeus' mother, as motherly and nurturing goddesses. Some stories of Amalthea raising Zeus depict Amalthea as a goat suckling the infant god. This depiction although zoomorphic shows Amalthea as nurturing. This version of the myth also explains the origins of the cornucopia.
