Cycladia Travel Guides

History | Mythology

Chania Mythology

The ancient city of Kydonia is considered to be, according Cretan mythology, founded by Kydonas, the son of God Apollo or God Hermes and the nymph Akakalida, the daughter of king Minos. So, the ancient city took its name from his founder.

Another well known myth for the island is that of Talos, the giant, bronze robot created by God Zeus himself. A different version of the myth mentins that Talos was constructed by Daedaus or Hepheastus, under the orders of Zeus. Talos was Zeus’ gift to Europa who gave him 3 sons. His task was to defend Crete from invasions and for that reason he had to go around the entire island three times a day. Talos was finally destroyed by the Argonauts and Medea when they tried to stop to the island in order to rest and take supplies. Talos appeared throwing rocks at them and Medea started seducing him with her spells and promises till he was enchanted and led by her to remove the bronze peg he had on his ankle. Then his “blood”, a liquid he had inside him in place of blood, was poured out of his body and he died.

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