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Crete TOURnet: Home Guida di Creta Mythology of Crete Minos' War with Athens

Minos' War with Athens

Minos was the first king to control the Mediterranean Sea, which he cleared of pirates and he ruled over the ninety cities in Crete. When the Athenians murdered his son Androgeus, he waged a war against them which dragged on for a long time. Minos prayed to Zeus to avenge Androgeus’s death and Zeus orchestrated a series of earthquakes. The terrified Athenians consulted the Oracle at Delfi. The Oracle told them to give Minos whatever satisfaction he might ask. Minos asked that seven maids and seven youths be sent every nine years to Crete as prey for the Minotaur.