Maze of Crete - The Mystery of the Origin of Greek and Roman Mythology

Author: Donald A. MacKenzie (English)
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2006-09-01
Features: A myth proven by reality, a pre-Greek civilization that disappeared suddenly, like Atlantis and Pompeii. The Mystery of the Origin of Greek and Roman Myths: In 1900, the ruins of the labyrinth on Crete were rediscovered! It was a super-large palace as mysterious as the pyramids. Later, archaeologists unearthed human bones that had been eaten, all of which had an undeniable connection to the man-eating Minotaur hidden deep in the labyrinth mentioned in Greek mythology. Was it a myth or a terrifying historical legend? What role did Crete play in the enigmatic civilization of ancient Greek mythology?
This is a mythological tale from Greece: Long ago, a son of King Minos of Crete was killed in Athens. Enraged, the king demanded retribution, eventually forcing King Aegeus of Athens to sign a horrifying treaty: Athens must annually send seven pairs of young men and women to Crete as tribute for the man-eating Minotaur. It was said that the Minotaur was the offspring of the queen and a bull. To hide his shame, the king had a massive, complex double palace built, where the Minotaur was kept hidden deep within. Fearing the power of Crete, Athens paid the tribute on time, causing immense grief among the people.
On the third tribute, Prince Theseus, determined to pacify the people and slay the monster, bravely volunteered to go to Crete as a tribute. The handsome, young Athenian prince won the heart of the Minos king's daughter, who gave him a magic sword and a ball of thread. The clever and brave Theseus, upon entering the labyrinth, tied one end of the thread to the entrance and let it unwind as he walked through the winding, complex corridors toward the depths of the maze.
Finally, he found the Minotaur. He grabbed its horns and, with the sword given by the princess, fought bravely to kill the Minotaur, rescued the children being offered as tribute, and escaped from Crete. This beautiful myth deeply fascinates archaeologists.
This book covers topics such as ancient Europe during the Early and Middle Pleistocene, witchcraft and religion in the Paleolithic era, and the history behind myths—the discoveries of Schliemann.