The physiognomy of the Minotaur, consisting of a human body and a bull's head, stems from the fact that Zeus, in the form of a bull, fathered this son with Europa. Because of his ugly appearance, Minotaur lived exiled in the labyrinth on Crete.
When King Minos of Crete learned that his son Androgeos had been killed by order of King Aigeus of Athens, he set out against Athens to take revenge. The Athenians were defeated and every nine years since then they had to send seven young boys and seven young girls to Crete, where they were sent into the labyrinth and thus sacrificed to the Minotaur. Theseus, the son of Aigeus, freed Athens from this harsh tribute. With the third tribute journey, he himself went to Crete to kill the monster. This moment is depicted on the gem. (AVS)
Former collection August Kestner, Rome
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