labýrinthos

Labýrinthos, usually translated as labyrinth, is a Greek term (λαβύρινθος) for a complex network of passages or spaces designed to confound those who enter. The etymology is debated; some scholars connect it to labrys, the Minoan double‑axe, while others see it as a generic reference to a tangled maze. In ancient Greek literature the word can denote a physical maze or a place of puzzling complexity, and in later sources it is used similarly in Latin as labyrinthus.

Mythic origins: In Greek myth, Daedalus is said to have designed the labyrinth on Crete to imprison the Minotaur, a creature that is half bull and half human. Minos required tribute of youths from Athens, and Theseus later killed the Minotaur and escaped with the aid of Ariadne’s thread. The details vary among sources, but the central image is a concealed, intricate passageway built to trap a monster and to challenge intruders.

Historical interpretation and modern use: The palace complex at Knossos in Crete is frequently described as a labyrinth by later writers, but archaeological evidence presents it as a sprawling Minoan palace rather than a single, purposeful maze. The association with the Minotaur myth likely reflects later narrative tradition. In contemporary culture, labyrinths are often used as symbols of journey, contemplation, or problem‑solving, and the term can describe both formal, unicursal patterns and traditional multi‑path mazes.