Cretan Mythology

There are a vast number of myths related to Crete. All of these were created centuries ago and these myths used to represent the thought of the people there and the explanations to strange events and phenomena that happened to them.

One of the famous myths is related to Zeus and Europa. Zeus was in love with Europa, a princess of the King of Phoenicia. However, he was married with Hera, a goddess. In order to marry Europa, Zeus was transformed into a bull and took her to Crete. King of Minos who ruled over Knossos is said to be the son of Zeus and Europa. Zeus was said to born in the Diktian Cave. The rule of the cosmos was taken over by Kronos and other Titan after their father, Ouranos was overthrown by them. When the violent Kronos married his sister Rhea, it was predicted that one of his children would overthrow him. Upon hearing this, he swallowed his children. Rhea was desperate to save the sixth child after Kronos swallowed five of the other children. With the help from her mother, she ran away to Mount Dicte on Crete when it is time to give birth to Zeus. She wrapped a rock in thick blankets, gave it to Kronos and he swallowed it. Kronos vomited the five children he swallowed after a year and these children joined Zeus who is on the island of Crete. The six of them overthrew Kronos and took the rule. Zeus ruled the skies, Hades ruled the underworld and Poseidon took over the oceans.

Another myth is based on Icarus and Daedalus. Daedalus was the creator of Knossos palace and the Labyrinth underneath the palace for Minos. However, Minos wanted to kill him so that he could not build another palace similar to Knossos. Daedalus was suspicious and he fled with his son Icarus. They flew away from Crete using own-made feathers. However, Icarus flew too close to the sun which melts his feather and he fall into the Aegean Sea. Daedalus landed in Sicily. Other myths include The Minotaur and the Labyrinth, Theseus and Ariadne which is related to Daedalus and Icarus and the ruling period by King Minos.