Holy history, Batman! Today we were in Heraklion, the largest city on the Greek island of Crete. We learned that this area has been continuously inhabited for at least 7,000 years. With its turquoise waters, the coastline is absolutely stunning. Perfect weather made it even more special.
(Saint Titus was a contemporary and disciple of Saint Paul)
We got to visit what remains of the ancient Knossos Palace, home of the Minoan kings and queens. The Minoans were the oldest European civilization, yet they had elaborate public works systems, as well as advanced works of art. They had a written language but so far it has not been deciphered.
The most famous mythological story of Crete involves the fabled Minotaur, a beast that was half human and half bull. The creature was confined in a cave at Knossos linked to the outside by a labyrinth, preventing its escape. Every year as a sacrifice, seven Athenian young men and seven young women were forced into his lair to be consumed. The Greeks turned to their divine hero Theseus to do battle with the Minotaur. This he did and vanquished the dreaded beast. So that he could find his way back through the labyrinth, Theseus unwound a ball of thread as he descended.
For your further education, this YouTube video will describe just how the Minotaur was conceived. The Bizarre Story of How the Minotaur Was Born – Greek Mythology – See U in History #shorts. Finally, some useless trivia: the English word ‘clue’ derives from the middle English word ‘clew’ meaning a ball of thread, a direct reference to the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. And now, to Rhodes we sail!