Pasiphaë

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Pasiphae

Pompeii - Casa dei Vettii - Pasiphae

Pasiphae and the baby Minotaur, red-figure kylix found at Etruscan Vulci, 4th century BC, Cabinet des Médailles, Paris (22614392466)

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Pasiphae, by Giulio Romano

Harley 4431, f. 116 - Queen Pasiphae

Pasiphaé

Pasiphaë is a figure from Greek mythology, renowned for being the wife of Minos, the King of Crete, and the mother of the Minotaur. Her story is intertwined with some of the most famous myths of ancient Greece, including the curse of the Minotaur and the labyrinth designed by Daedalus. Pasiphaë's lineage is also notable, as she is often described as the daughter of Helios, the sun god, and Perse, making her a member of the divine and often complex family tree that populates Greek mythological tales.

Mythology

According to myth, Pasiphaë's husband, Minos, prayed to Poseidon for a sign of support at the beginning of his reign. Poseidon sent a magnificent white bull, with the understanding that Minos would sacrifice it in the god's honor. However, Minos found the bull so beautiful that he kept it for himself, sacrificing another in its place. Angered by this act of defiance, Poseidon cursed Pasiphaë with an insatiable desire for the bull. This union between Pasiphaë and the bull resulted in the birth of the Minotaur, a creature with the body of a man and the head of a bull.

To hide this shame, Minos commissioned Daedalus to construct the Labyrinth, a massive maze from which escape was nearly impossible, and placed the Minotaur at its center. The Labyrinth and the story of the Minotaur are central to the myth of Pasiphaë, illustrating the complex interplay between divine will, human error, and the unforeseen consequences of both.

Pasiphaë is also noted for her skills in witchcraft, often attributed to her divine heritage. She is said to have used her magical abilities to aid her husband, including a spell to ensure that Minos would win the contest for the throne of Crete. Her powers also extended to the creation of the Pacify spell, which was used to calm the Minotaur.

Family

Pasiphaë's family is a testament to the interconnectedness of Greek mythology. Her father, Helios, is a titan and the personification of the sun, while her mother, Perse, is a less well-known oceanid. Pasiphaë's siblings include Circe, the famous enchantress, and Aeetes, the king of Colchis and father of Medea. This divine heritage places Pasiphaë among the pantheon of mythological figures whose actions and offspring significantly impacted the ancient Greek world.

Her marriage to Minos links Pasiphaë to the royal family of Crete, making her a key figure in the island's mythological history. Her children, aside from the Minotaur, include Ariadne, who played a crucial role in the story of Theseus and the Minotaur, and Phaedra, who is central to the myth of Hippolytus.

Cultural Impact

The myth of Pasiphaë has been a source of fascination and inspiration throughout history, influencing art, literature, and psychology. The story of her unnatural desire, the birth of the Minotaur, and the construction of the Labyrinth speaks to themes of human frailty, divine retribution, and the complexities of familial relationships. In modern times, Pasiphaë's story has been explored in various mediums, reflecting the enduring power of Greek mythology to captivate and provoke thought.