Knossos

In Greek mythology, the Minotaur (), also known as Asterion or Asterius, is a mythical creature portrayed during classical antiquity 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". He dwelt at the center of the Labyrinth, which was an elaborate maze-like construction designed by the architect Daedalus and his son Icarus, upon command of King Minos of Crete. According to tradition, every nine years the people of Athens were compelled by King Minos to choose fourteen young noble citizens (seven men and seven women) to

250 px|thumb|Gustave Doré's illustration of King Minos for [[Dante Alighieri's Inferno]] thumb|Mural of Minos at the National and Kapodistrain University of Athens

Knossos (; , ; Linear B: Ko-no-so) is an archaeological site in Crete that was occupied from the Neolithic through the ninth century AD. The site was a major centre of the Minoan civilization and is known for its association with the Greek myth of Theseus and the minotaur. During the early Iron Age it was one of the most prosperous Aegean civilizations, and it eventually became a Roman colony during the Classical period. It is located on the outskirts of Heraklion, and remains a popular tourist destination. Knossos is considered by many to be the oldest city in Europe and one of the earliest N

thumb|Silver coin from Knossos displaying the 7-course "Classical" design to represent the Labyrinth,

companion of Idomeneus

British archaeologist (1876–1958)

thumb|Wall-painting from the villa, on display at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion

Minoan fresco from Knossos, Crete

Minoan mural painting from Knossos, Crete

internal conflict fought from 220 BC between two coalitions of Cretan city-states, led by Cnossus and Polyrrhenia respectively

Minoan mural painting from Knossos, Crete

thumb|180px|upright|This Archaic image known as the Lady of Auxerre may be a version of the Minoan goddess, probably Kore or [[Despoina (c. 640–630 BCE, Louvre).]]

war between Knossos and Lyttos (346–343 BC)

board game

chamber inside the palatial complex of Knossos, Crete, Greece