Afshar 1
Niloofar Afshar
Wendy Neeld
Humanities 6413
30 November 2018
Theseus and the Minotaur: Origins
The legend of Theseus and the Minotaur is one that has presumably originated, in the form of literature, as early as 46-120 AD, written down by Greek historians and Roman poets. However, the story itself is believed to be much older, having been passed down through the art of storytelling generation after generation.
The legend; a myth as it is, does have a basis in fact. Due to the story’s age, historians find it exceptionally difficult to isolate the facts woven into the bizarre aspects of the tale. However, an English archeologist by the name of Arthur Evans (1851-1941) was successful in excavating the ruins of what is believed to have been the palace of Knossos (the castle in which king Minos of the Theseus and the Minotaur myth resided). The uncovered palace (in Crete) was later analyzed and found to have been built in 1800 BC, using advanced architectural techniques which allowed for the palace’s five stories; as well as a remarkable water supply and drainage system.
Crete was home to the ruins of three more palaces that were also unearthed over time, however Knossos stands the victor in the aspect of sheer size and complexity. Experts estimate the palace to have housed as many as 50,000 individuals. It is the elaborateness ...
