KNOSSOS (city in Crete)
Ancient Minoan through Roman administrative center and city
- Kind of place
- City
- Region
- Crete
- Landmarks
- Palace of Minos Strabo 10.4.7
- People of myth here
- Daedalus, Minos
- Where
- 35.30° N, 25.16° E
Cnossus is described as the largest and most distinguished city in Crete. Pausanias 3.2.4 Writers called the city vast and the palace of Minos. Strabo 10.4.7 The bull associated with Heracles' labours was located at Cnossus. Pausanias 5.10.9
Described in the sources
Minos ruled as king in Cnossus for a period of nine years. Herodotus 3.122.2 +2 Cnossus is a great town located on the island of Crete, in a plain between Lyctian and Gortynian territories, opposite the Peloponnesus in the northern part of the island. Odyssey 19 ¶15 +2 Epimenides was a native of this city. Pausanias 1.14.4 +1 A figured dance was once seen in this location. Athenaeus 5.10 A wooden image of Athena is located at Cnossus. Pausanias 9.40.3 Andromachus is identified as being from Cnossus. Quintus 11 ¶3 Cnossus was formerly known by the name Caeratus. Strabo 10.4.8 Minos is referred to as the war-lord of Knossos. Bacchylides 17 Its ancient circumference measured thirty stadia. Strabo 10.4.7 The fisherman's voyage is directed toward Cnossus. Lycophron, Alexandra ¶52
Stories and history
Cnossus was ravaged along with other Cretan cities. Strabo 10.4.17 Cnossus possesses a marine arsenal named Heracleium. Strabo 10.4.7 It later recovered its ancient rank as the capital city. Strabo 10.4.7 Lagetas and his brother left Cnossus to join Mithridates. Strabo 10.4.10 The people of Cnossus fought a war against the Gortynians. Strabo 10.4.10 Dorylaüs and Sterope had two sons and one daughter in Cnossus. Strabo 10.4.10 Minos built the city of Cnossus as one of three on the island. Strabo 10.4.8 The Cretan queen formed a dance floor there using Dædalean art. Athenaeus 5.10 Dorylaüs successfully concluded the war between Cnossus and Gortynia. Strabo 10.4.10 Homer and later writers celebrated Cnossus above other Cretan cities. Strabo 10.4.7