The myth of Daedalus and Icarus
The myth of Daedalus and Icarus is one of the most known and fascinating Greek Myths, as it consists of both historical and mythical details.
While in Crete Daedalus created the plan for the Minoan Palace of Knossos, one of the most important archaeological sites in Crete and Greece today. It was a magnificent architectural design and building, of 1,300 rooms, decorated with stunning frescoes and artifacts, saved until today. The sculpture of Ariadne in Knossos and many others in Elounda and Karia are also his.
King Minos and Daedalus had great understanding at first, but their relationships started deteriorating at some point; there are several versions explaining this sudden change, although the most common one is that Daedalus was the one who advised Princess Ariadne to give Theseus the thread that helped him come out from the infamous Labyrinth, after killing the Minotaur.
The Labyrinth was a maze built by Daedalus; King Minos wanted a building suitable to imprison the mythical monster Minotaur, and according to the myth, he used to imprison his enemies in the labyrinth, making sure that they would be killed by the monster.
Minos was infuriated when found out about the betrayal and imprisoned Daedalus and his son Icarus in the Labyrinth.
The flight of Daedalus and Icarus
Icarus was the young son of Daedalus and Nafsicrate, one of King Minos’ servants. Daedalus was way too smart and inventive, thus, he started thinking how he and Icarus would escape the Labyrinth. Knowing that his architectural creation was too complicated, he figured out that they could not come out on foot. He also knew that the shores of Crete were perfectly guarded, thus, they would not be able to escape by sea either. The only way left was the air.
Daedalus managed to create gigantic wings, using branches of osier and connected them with wax. He taught Icarus how to fly, but told him to keep away from the sun because the heat would make the wax melt, destroying the wings.
Daedalus and Icarus managed to escape the Labyrinth and flew to the sky, free. The flight of Daedalus and Icarus was the first time that man managed to fight the laws of nature and beat gravity.
Icarus death
Although he was warned, Icarus was too young and too enthusiastic about flying. He got excited by the thrill of flying and carried away by the amazing feeling of freedom and started flying high to salute the sun, diving low to the sea, and then up high again.
His father Daedalus was trying in vain to make young Icarus to understand that his behavior was dangerous, and Icarus soon saw his wings melting.
Icarus fell into the sea and drowned. The Icarian Sea, where he fell, was named after him and there is also a nearby small island called Icaria.
this was an awesome summary of the myth of Daedalus and Icarus, although slightly hard to follow it was useful and enjoyable to read. Thank you very much
Thank you for the background and simplified story, as it will be useful when teaching my 6th graders about the elements and nuances of myths.
this is a great myth, I remember my teacher reading it to me and it was really sad when Icarus died
My yaya would read the Myth of Daedalus and many other Greek myths and history to me, in Greek, and taught me to speak English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and of course Greek.
This is a very imformative summary of the myth of Daedalus and Icarus. It is missing only one thing: Daedalus also warned Icarus not to fly too low, or the feathers would get wet.
Alright, so I’m looking around and I seem to be finding a mistake that’s been pasted onto multiple websites. Minos never locked Daedalus and his son in the labyrinth. That was a maze of death and King Minos sent his Athenian tributes into the maze of death.
Also, why on earth would there be a window big enough for the two to climb out of in the labyrinth? This is a plot hole that a ton of sights seem to glance over. King Minos locked his genius inventor in a tower. Daedalus collected the feathers of the birds that landed on his windowsill over the course of years to make the wings for he and his son.
Thank u MIMI for clarifying. Another site mentioned the tower and birds feathers but u painted the picture clearly. I needed to review as my daughter’s 5th gd class will be performing this and I hav to make her a chiton which Im hoping is similar to a toga…
This is a wonderful summary of this fantastic and eventful myth. Thanks so much publishing it! I will be sure to recommend this to my fellow students and teachers!!!!
As all father might say to their naive, head strong sons “It’s that sort of altitude that will get you into trouble one day”.
As all father might say to their naive, head strong sons “It’s that sort of altitude that will get you into trouble one day”.
Too bad the U.S. isn’t familiar with the classics. They have flown too close to the Sun and the whole earth is falling into hell.
This is definitely my favorite Greek myth of all the ones I have heard. I have heard many versions of this story but this one is like a summary of all the versions. I believe that it is amazing that these stories from so long ago are still being told today.
This was an amazing explanation, but we shouldn’t judge because some people believe this perspective on the story, but I do agree with Mimi.