Podcast Summary: The Ancients – The Minoan Labyrinth

Podcast: The Ancients
Host: Tristan Hughes (A)
Guest: Professor Nicoletta "Nico" Momigliano (D), University of Bristol
Date: December 25, 2025
Episode Theme:
Exploring the myth and reality of the Minoan Labyrinth and the Minotaur at Knossos — separating ancient myth from archaeological evidence and examining the legacy of Minoan Crete in history and popular culture.

Episode Overview

This episode delves into one of antiquity’s most enduring legends: the Minotaur and the labyrinth at Knossos. Host Tristan Hughes is joined by Minoan expert Professor Nico Momigliano to discuss the origins of this myth, its representation in sources and Minoan art, archaeological realities of the palace at Knossos, and how later generations have interpreted and reimagined these stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Myth of the Minotaur and Its Origins

• Summary of the Myth (06:32–08:45)

  • The Minotaur, literally the "bull of Minos," is a mythological creature tied to King Minos of Crete.
  • According to myth, Minos' wife Pasiphae, cursed by the gods due to Minos failing to sacrifice a beautiful bull to Poseidon, falls in love with the bull and gives birth to the Minotaur, a creature half-man and half-bull.
  • The story includes themes of broken promises to gods and divine punishment, common in Greek myth.
  • Quote:
    "This is something really stupid. This is something that you find in Greek mythology a lot. Mortals make promises to Greek gods and they never learn." – Nico Momigliano (08:03)

• Age of the Myth and Sources (09:14–12:54)

  • The full, familiar version of the myth appears relatively late, well after the Bronze Age.
  • Elements of the story — such as Minos and Ariadne — exist in Homeric epics, but the Minotaur as we know it isn't depicted in Minoan art.
  • No true Minotaur iconography in Bronze Age Crete; some late seal stones may be schematic images of bull-leaping, interpreted later as Minotaur figures.
  • Quote:
    "In Minoan iconography...there isn't a single Minotaur. Zilch. Plenty of bulls, lots and lots of bulls, but no Minotaur." – Nico Momigliano (11:05)

2. King Minos – Mythical or Historical?

• Origins of King Minos (12:54–14:50)
  • Possible a real ruler inspired the legendary figure.
  • "Minos" may have evolved as a dynastic title, similar to "Caesar."
  • Ultimately, Minos as the Minotaur's stepfather is largely a mythological construct.
  • Quote:
    "To think of Minos...as a real historical character, I think that would be a bit too far. But any character must be inspired in part by something real." – Nico Momigliano (14:45)

3. The Labyrinth and the Palace at Knossos

• Myth vs. Reality of the Labyrinth’s Location (15:50–18:28)

  • In Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, players can enter a labyrinth underneath Knossos, but Greek myths likely grew from observing ruined palaces centuries after their abandonment.
  • Stories invented to explain the ruins, much like legends elsewhere explain mysterious ancient sites.
  • Quote:
    "People must have wanted to explain these ruins and therefore invented these amazing stories about King Minos and his family." – Nico Momigliano (16:39)

• Spread and Endurance of the Myth (18:28–20:35)

  • By the 5th–4th centuries BCE, coins depicting the labyrinth demonstrate the myth’s popularity in later Crete and wider Greece.
  • Over time, as ruins disappeared, alternative locations for the labyrinth were proposed (e.g., Roman quarries).

4. The Word ‘Labyrinth’ and Its Origins

• Linguistic Speculation (20:35–24:24)
  • The word "labyrinth" may appear (possibly as ‘dabyrinth’) on a Linear B tablet (ca. 1300 BC).
  • Theories tying "labyrinth" to the word "labrys" (double axe) are linguistically doubtful and emerged much later.
  • The double axe, while prominent in Minoan culture, is not uniquely significant to Knossos.
  • Quote:
    "Deriving labyrinth from labrys doesn't work linguistically... It's a nice story, though." – Nico Momigliano (23:31)

5. The Maze-Like Structure of Knossos

• The Architecture as Inspiration (24:24–26:19)

  • The palace’s complex, unsymmetrical layout — possibly with over 1,000 rooms — likely contributed to the labyrinth association.
  • The awe-inspiring nature of the ruins for later locals reinforced their mysterious reputation.

• Bulls in Minoan Art (26:19–27:12)

  • Abundant bull imagery (e.g., frescoes, pottery) at Knossos supported connections with the Minotaur and bull myths.

6. The Palace’s Afterlife and Archaeological Legacy

• The Ruins and Their Sacred/Awesome Quality (27:12–29:42)
  • The palace at Knossos was not immediately re-inhabited post-destruction; locals seemed to treat it with reverence, sometimes leaving small offerings.
  • This contributed to enduring myths and "places of memory."

7. What Lies Beneath: Labyrinth or Sewers?

• Substructures Explained (30:19–33:51)
  • No literal labyrinth ever existed beneath Knossos, but there was a sophisticated drainage/sewer system, impressive for its time.
  • Much of what lies "beneath" was ground-floor level, now covered by subsequent debris and soil, appearing sunken only to us.
  • Memorable Moment:
    "I have a couple of colleagues...spent part of their summer crawling inside the drains of Knossos." – Nico Momigliano (33:27)

8. The Minotaur Myth’s Influence on Archaeology

• Myth, Archaeology, and Interpretation (33:51–38:05)
  • Early archaeologists like Sir Arthur Evans were heavily influenced by the myth, sometimes seeing Minotaurs where there were monkeys or other animals in seal impressions.
  • The persistent myth led scholars and the public to color their interpretations — for better and worse.
  • The name "Knossos" and its mythic associations add allure to the site compared to local names.

9. Minoan Legacy and Modern Interpretations

• Cultural Reinvention (38:05–40:07)
  • The Minoans have been reimagined in everything from literature and art to modern video games (e.g., Assassin's Creed).
  • Stories often blend classical mythology with new elements inspired by archaeological discoveries.
  • Notable Example:
    Mary Renault’s novels (e.g., The King Must Die), which interweave Bronze Age setting with classical myth.

10. The Ultimate Minoan Time-Travel Dream

• Where Would the Archaeologist Go? (40:07–42:50)
  • If given the chance, Nico Momigliano would visit Knossos around 1900 BC to witness the construction of the first palace, rather than its destruction.
  • Quote:
    "For me as an archaeologist, it would be fantastic to try and understand what the so-called first Minoan palace really looked like." – Nico Momigliano (41:01)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• "This is something really stupid. This is something that you find in Greek mythology a lot. Mortals make promises to Greek gods and they never learn."
  — Nico Momigliano, 08:03

• "In Minoan iconography...there isn't a single Minotaur. Zilch. Plenty of bulls, lots and lots of bulls, but no Minotaur."
  — Nico Momigliano, 11:05

• "People must have wanted to explain these ruins and therefore invented these amazing stories about King Minos and his family."
  — Nico Momigliano, 16:39

• "Deriving labyrinth from labrys doesn't work linguistically... It's a nice story, though."
  — Nico Momigliano, 23:31

• "I have a couple of colleagues...spent part of their summer crawling inside the drains of Knossos."
  — Nico Momigliano, 33:27

• "For me as an archaeologist, it would be fantastic to try and understand what the so-called first Minoan palace really looked like."
  — Nico Momigliano, 41:01

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Myth of the Minotaur Outline: 06:32–08:45
• Evidence of Minotaur in Minoan Art: 09:14–12:54
• Historicity of King Minos: 12:54–14:50
• Labyrinth in Later Greek Imagination: 15:50–18:28
• Origins of ‘Labyrinth’ and Double Axe Debate: 20:35–24:24
• Knossos as a Physical Labyrinth: 24:24–26:19
• Archaeology vs. Myth at Knossos: 33:51–38:05
• Minoans in Modern Culture: 38:05–40:07
• Professor Momigliano’s “Wish to Visit” Moment: 40:07–42:50

Tone & Style

The conversation is warm, thoughtful, and accessible, blending scholarly caution about myth-making with enthusiasm for the enduring legends and archaeological marvels of ancient Crete. Both host and guest engage with humor, charm, and frankness about the gaps between myth and evidence.

Conclusion

This episode offers a fascinating journey through the tangled threads of myth, memory, and archaeology. While the Minotaur’s labyrinth is a product of centuries of storytelling, the enduring ruins and symbols of Knossos provided a canvas for myth to flourish. Professor Momigliano's expertise clarifies how much — and how little — the archaeology actually supports the old tales and underscores the importance of critical thinking when exploring our ancient past.