Pasiphaë and her half-human half-bull son, the Minotaur, Attic red-figure kylix found at Etruscan Vulci in Italy. Now exhibited at Cabinet des Médailles, Paris, France.
The Minotaur is a legendary creature from ancient Greek mythology. It is depicted as a half-human, half-bull being, known for its insatiable appetite for human flesh. The creature’s story revolves around its confinement within a complex and maze-like structure called the Labyrinth.
One image associated with the Minotaur is that of Pasiphaë, the wife of King Minos, and her monstrous offspring, the Minotaur. According to the myth, Pasiphaë fell under a curse that caused her to develop an unnatural desire for a bull. From this union, she gave birth to the Minotaur, a creature with the head of a bull and the body of a man.
The Minotaur was eventually confined within the Labyrinth, a vast and intricate maze constructed by Daedalus, a skilled craftsman. It was designed to be virtually impossible to navigate, ensuring that the Minotaur would remain imprisoned and separated from the outside world.
This tale has captivated the imagination of many, and an Attic red-figure kylix, discovered in Etruscan Vulci, Italy, and currently exhibited at the Cabinet des Médailles in Paris, showcases Pasiphaë and her monstrous son, the Minotaur.
