More on the Labyrinth on the Coins of Knossos

Abstract

In his ‘Natural History’ (36.84-93), Pliny the Elder lists four buildings termed ‘labyrinths’. His second labyrinth, which came directly after the Egyptian one, was built by Daedalus in Crete, not far from Knossos, and appears on Knossian coins as the symbol of Knossos. The main aim of this article is to discuss the differing forms of this labyrinth and their origins. The first coins of Knossos appeared around 470 BC and bore a pattern of four meanders to indicate a labyrinth. A square labyrinth pattern followed and this was finally replaced by one of circular form.

Keywords

• Crete
• Knossos
• coinage
• labyrinth
• Minos
• Minotaur