Minotaurus

Latin > English (Lewis & Short)

Mīnōtaurus: i, m., = Μινώταυρος>,
I a monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man, the fruit of the intercourse of Pasiphaë, the wife of Minos, with a bull. Minos caused him to be shut up in the labyrinth and fed with human flesh. The Athenians were obliged to deliver to him seven boys and as many maidens every year, until Theseus destroyed him, and, with the aid of Ariadne's clew, escaped from the labyrinth: Minotaurus putatur esse genitus, cum Pasiphaë Minois regis uxor dicitur concubuisse cum tauro. Sed affirmant alii, Taurum fuisse nomen adulteri, Paul. ex Fest. p. 148 Müll.: proles biformis Minotaurus, Verg. A. 6, 25; cf. Ov. M. 7, 456; 8, 152 sq.; Hyg. Fab. 41: Minotauri effigies inter signa militaria est, Paul. ex Fest. p. 148 Müll.—Comically: offensione Minotauri, i. e. Calvisii et Tauri, Cic. Fam. 12, 25, 1.