Daedalus

Daedalus

In Greek mythology, Daedalus (UK: , US: ; Greek: Δαίδαλος; Latin: Daedalus; Etruscan: Taitale) was a skillful architect and craftsman, seen as a symbol of wisdom, knowledge and power. He is the father of Icarus, the uncle of Perdix), and possibly also the father of Iapyx. Among his most famous creations are the wooden cow for Pasiphaë, the Labyrinth for King Minos of Crete which imprisoned the Minotaur, and wings that he and his son Icarus used to attempt to escape Crete. It was during this escape that Icarus did not listen to his father's warnings and flew too close to the Sun; the wax holding his wings together melted and Icarus fell to his death.


Epigraphic evidence

The name Daidalos seems to be attested in Linear B, a writing system used to record Mycenaean Greek. The name appears in the form da-da-re-jo-de, possibly referring to a sanctuary.


Family

Daedalus's parentage was supplied as a later addition, with various authors attributing different parents to him. His father is claimed to be either Eupalamus, Metion, or Palamaon. Similarly, his mother was either Alcippe), Iphinoe), Phrasmede or Merope), daughter of King Erechtheus. Daedalus had two sons: Icarus and Iapyx, along with a nephew named either Talos), Calos, or Perdix).

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