Overview
This is the mythological story of Daedalus and his son Icarus, focusing on their imprisonment by King Minos, their attempt to escape using wings Daedalus invented, and the tragic consequences of ignoring warnings.
Daedalus and Icarus in Crete
- Daedalus was a renowned inventor and architect, known for creating mechanical wonders and architectural marvels.
- King Minos invited Daedalus to Crete to build a complex labyrinth to contain the Minotaur, a half-man, half-bull creature.
- Daedalus, with Icarus, constructed the labyrinth so well that escape was nearly impossible.
- After the labyrinth's completion, Daedalus was rewarded by King Minos.
Imprisonment and the Plan to Escape
- After a group of children killed the Minotaur and escaped with the king’s daughter, Minos suspected Daedalus of helping them.
- Despite his innocence, Daedalus and Icarus were imprisoned on Crete by the king.
- Daedalus observed birds flying and conceived the idea to build wings as a means of escape.
Construction of the Wings and Preparation
- Daedalus and Icarus collected bird feathers and glued them together with wax to craft two pairs of wings.
- Daedalus instructed Icarus not to fly too close to the sun to avoid melting the wax and not too low to prevent water damage.
The Escape and Tragedy of Icarus
- The pair successfully flew off the island, marveling at their newfound ability.
- Despite warnings, Icarus soared higher, approaching the sun, which melted the wax holding his wings.
- Icarus fell into the sea and drowned, leaving Daedalus devastated.
Aftermath and Commemoration
- Daedalus found only Icarus’s feathers in the water and mourned his loss.
- He named the nearby island Icaria in memory of his son.
- On the beach, Daedalus built a temple to Apollo and dedicated his wings there, vowing never to fly again.