Minotaur Minotaur In Greek mythology, the Minotaur (, ; , , Etruscan: "Θevrumineś") is a mythical creature portrayed in Classical times with the head and tail of a bull and the body of a man or, as described by Roman poet Ovid, a being "part man and part bull". It dwelt at the center of the Labyrinth, which was an elaborate maze-like construction designed by the architect Daedalus and his son Icarus, on the command of King Minos of Crete. The Minotaur was eventually killed by the Athenian hero Theseus. The term Minotaur derives from the Ancient Greek , a compound
Daedalus Erechtheus, claiming that Daedalus fled to Crete after killing his nephew Talos. Over time, other stories were told of Daedalus. Some Greeks claimed to be descendants of Daedalus. People in ancient Greece often believed that their family was descended from mythical characters, though it is likely these characters were seen as historical rather than fictional. The Greek philosopher Socrates claimed to be a descendant of Daedalus in at least three of Plato's books: "Euthyphro", "Alcibaides", and "Meno". In "Euthyphro," Socrates says, "Your statements, Euthyphro, seem to belong to my ancestor, Daedalus." In "Alcibaides", Socrates says, "And mine, noble Alcibiades, to