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The ancient [[civilization]] of [[Crete]] which existed from 2600 to 1450 BC.
The ancient [[civilization]] of [[Crete]] which existed from 2600 to 1450 BC.
===The Minotaur===
Around 2600 BC a civilization arose on the island of Crete called the Minoan civilization. They were one of the most powerful Mediterranean nations of their time and have found their place in various legends. Among these is that of the Minotaur.
According to myth, Minos II, the king of Crete, boasted that he could obtain anything through prayer. To prove this he prayed to Neptune for a bull that he might sacrifice. Although the bull appeared, it was so beautiful that Minos declined to sacrifice it. In his anger Neptune drove the bull wild and caused the kings wife to fall in love with the bull. Although Hercules got rid of the bull, it left behind its offspring: a wild half bull half man called the Minotaur which terrorized the country until the king’s architect, Dædalus, trapped it in a huge labyrinth.
At this time Athens was under the rule of Crete and each year and king Minos required that each year the Athenians send a number young people to feed to the beast. Finally Theseus, a hero from Athens, resolved to let himself be thrown to the Minotaur that he might attempt to kill it. He entered the labyrinth, and trailing a thread behind him so that didn’t get lost, he proceeded to search out the Minotaur. In the ensuing fight Theseus was victorious and Athens was freed.
The Minoan civilization was a fairly advanced people group the remains of whose cities can still be seen today.