The Minotaur, in Greek mythology, a monster with a human body and a bull's head who lived in the labyrinth in Crete. The Minotaur, whose real name was Asterius, was born of Pasiphae, wife of Minos. His father was a bull, came from the sea, and according to another version of himself, Poseidon. Minos son hid in an underground labyrinth, built by Daedalus. The maze was so complex that no one went in there people couldn't find a way out.

Minos suspected the Athenian king Aegeus in the murder of one of their sons and, in revenge, asked Jupiter to send to Athens the plague. The Athenians appealed to the Oracle, which told them that the epidemic would cease only if they will every year to send to Crete to be devoured by the Minotaur seven young men and seven girls.

Prince Theseus decided to save the Athenians from a terrible sacrifices and kill the Minotaur. He replaced one of the young men who went to Crete. There helped the hero in love with him Ariadne, daughter of Minos. She gave Theseus a thread, which was to help to get out of the maze. Theseus entered the labyrinth and defeated the Minotaur.