According to mythology, Minos was one of the three sons that Europa gave to Zeus after her abduction from Phoenicia and their union in Gortyna, Crete. Minos was king of Crete and supreme judge. It was based in Knossos where a mega palace was built, perhaps the mythological Labyrinth. The word Minos is pre-Greek. Perhaps it meant powers, qualities. Perhaps as a title he had in prehistoric Cretan society, the use that the name Pharaoh had for the Egyptians. Many Minoans lived in Knossos, and the palace or seat of the Minoans was the administrative, religious, economic and social center of Prehistoric Crete.

From the name Minos, the expressions are produced: Minoan era 2600-1450 BC. , Minoan culture, Minoan arts, Minoan architecture, Minoan palaces, cities, mansions, etc. The Minoan civilization developed in Crete and is characterized as the oldest, brightest and most perfect prehistoric civilization in Europe and one of the oldest in the world. The name of Minos is involved in many myths of ancient Greek mythology, such as the myth of Daedalus and Icarus, the Minotaur and Theseus.

After Daedalus escaped from Knossos, Minos sought him out. He wanted to ensure that he would not build again the unique works he had built in Crete. He tracked him down in Sicily, at the court of King Kokalos, and demanded that Daedalus be handed over to him. Kokalos pretended that he would grant his request after a banquet, but first Minos had to bathe.

The daughters of Kokalos in the bath doused him with hot water, and Minos met a horrible death. According to Diodorus Siculus (IV, 79,4) the tyrant Theron gave the bones of Minos to the Cretans.