Greek Ideology > Sacred Bull

Sacred Bull

Background

The concept of the sacred bull appears in various forms in Greek mythology and ancient Greek religion. Bulls were often associated with strength, fertility, and power, and several myths and cult practices featured sacred bulls. Here are some of the key references to sacred bulls in Greek mythology:

The Cretan Bull

1. Minos and the Cretan Bull: The Cretan Bull is a significant figure in Greek mythology. King Minos of Crete prayed to Poseidon to send him a bull as a sign of support for his rule. Poseidon sent a magnificent white bull from the sea, which Minos was supposed to sacrifice to the god. However, Minos kept the bull for himself, leading to Poseidon's wrath.
2. Pasiphaë and the Minotaur: As punishment for Minos's disobedience, Poseidon caused Minos's wife, Pasiphaë, to fall in love with the bull. Pasiphaë had Daedalus, the master craftsman, construct a wooden cow so she could mate with the bull. The union produced the Minotaur, a creature with the body of a man and the head of a bull. The Minotaur was later confined in the Labyrinth.
3. Heracles and the Cretan Bull: The Cretan Bull also appears as one of the Twelve Labors of Heracles. Heracles was tasked with capturing the bull and bringing it back to Eurystheus. He succeeded in capturing the bull and brought it to Mycenae, where it was released and eventually wandered to Marathon.

The Bull of Marathon

1. The Marathonian Bull: After being released by Heracles, the Cretan Bull roamed to the plain of Marathon in Attica. It terrorized the region until it was eventually killed by the hero Theseus.

The Tauroctony in Mithraism

1. Mithras and the Bull: Although not originally Greek, the bull-slaying scene known as the "tauroctony" is central to the Roman mystery religion of Mithraism, which spread throughout the Roman Empire, including Greece. Mithras, a deity of Persian origin, is depicted slaying a sacred bull, symbolizing fertility, renewal, and the victory of light over darkness.

Bulls in Greek Cult Practices

1. Bull Sacrifice: Bulls were often sacrificed in various Greek religious rituals. The hecatomb, a grand sacrifice of 100 bulls, was a significant event in many Greek religious festivals, particularly those dedicated to Zeus.
2. Cult of Dionysus: Bulls were also associated with the worship of Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility, and revelry. Dionysian rites often included bull sacrifices and symbolic representations of bulls, emphasizing themes of life, death, and rebirth.

Europa and the Bull

1. Zeus and Europa: Another famous myth involves Zeus transforming himself into a beautiful white bull to abduct the Phoenician princess Europa. Europa, charmed by the bull's gentleness, climbed onto its back. Zeus then swam across the sea to the island of Crete, where he revealed his true identity and Europa became the mother of Minos.

Summary

The sacred bull is a recurring symbol in Greek mythology and religious practice, representing strength, fertility, and divine power. Key myths involving sacred bulls include the story of the Cretan Bull and its connections to Minos, Pasiphaë, the Minotaur, and Heracles. Bulls were also central to various cult practices and rituals, particularly in sacrifices to the gods. Additionally, the myth of Zeus and Europa highlights the bull as a symbol of transformation and divine intervention. The sacred bull's significance in Greek culture underscores its importance in symbolizing the power and fertility of the gods.

Sources

Greek Ideology