Minoa
A name given to several cities across the Greek world, all claiming legendary foundation by or connection to King Minos of Crete.
The Story of Minoa
At least five different cities in the ancient Mediterranean called themselves Minoa — in Sicily, Crete, Amorgos, Siphnos, and the Argolid. The name reflected the enormous reach of Cretan power and mythology in the Bronze Age. King Minos's fleet was said to have been the first great naval force in history, and wherever Cretan ships landed, a Minoa might be established. In Sicily, Minos followed Daedalus after the craftsman fled to the court of King Cocalus — and it was there that Minos was killed, scalded in a bath arranged by Cocalus's daughters at Daedalus's suggestion.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Meroe
🏛 placegeography
A distant African kingdom mentioned in Greek mythology as the land at the source of the Nile, associated with the Ethiopians.
Laodicea
🏛 placegeography
A Phrygian city named after a daughter of a Seleucid king but containing an older sacred tradition of Cybele.
Haliartus
🏛 placegeography
A Boeotian city on Lake Copais associated with the myth of Alcmena and a tradition of Heracles.
Orchomenus
🏛 placecity, Boeotia
An ancient Boeotian city that was one of the wealthiest in Bronze Age Greece, rivalling Thebes and associated with the Minyans.
Arges
🏛 placegeography
The Argolid plain dominated by the city of Argos, one of the oldest and most mythologically saturated regions of Greece.
Abdera
🏛 placegeography
A Thracian coastal city founded in honour of Abderus, companion of Heracles.
Libya
🏛 placeGeography
The ancient Greek name for the entire continent of Africa, personified as a daughter of Epaphus and Memphis
Pieria
🏛 placeSacred geography
The region at the foot of Mount Olympus sacred to the Muses, who were sometimes called the Pierides
Argos
🏛 placecity-state, Peloponnese
One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and a major power in the Peloponnese, closely associated with the goddess Hera.
Corinth
🏛 placeCity of Sisyphus and Medea
Corinth was a wealthy trading city on the narrow isthmus connecting mainland Greece to the Peloponnese, associated with Sisyphus, Medea, Bellerophon, and Pegasus.
Crisa
🏛 placegeography
A Phocian city below Delphi, sometimes confused with Cirrha, associated with Apollo's arrival in central Greece.
Abydos
🏛 placeGeography
An ancient city on the Hellespont famous as the launching point of Xerxes' bridge and the home of Leander