Dædalus

Family: Cretans · Role: architect · First appears: Fable 71

Dædalus is a Cretan architect whose skill leads Minos to commission the labyrinth for containing the Minotaur: “Dædalus, a man very famed for his skill in architecture, plans the work.” The labyrinth later becomes the setting for Theseus’ escape after he kills the monster, with Ariadne’s assistance.

Dædalus’ family and teaching relationships are marked by tragedy. His son Icarus stands beside him while handling danger unaware, and Dædalus later buries his body, giving the land its name. He is entrusted with educating his nephew Perdix, but, described as envious, he throws him from Minerva’s sacred citadel and falsely claims it was an accident; he is exiled for murdering one of his scholars. In exile he opposes Minos, longing for his native soil, while Cocalus takes up arms for him. Iapyx is named as his son.

Relationship record

Life events

• Dædalus designs and constructs the labyrinth to contain the Minotaur.(Fable71)
  • With: Minos
  • “Minos resolves to remove the disgrace from his abode, and to enclose it in a habitation of many divisions, and an abode full of mazes. Dædalus, a man very famed for his skill in architecture, plans the work”
• Dædalus and Icarus escape Crete by flying on handmade wings.(Fable72 · 📍 Crete)
  • With: Icarus
  • “And, raised upon his wings, he flies before, and is concerned for his companion, just as the bird which has led forth her tender young from the lofty nest into the air.”
• Dædalus buries Icarus and gives the land its name.(Fable72)
  • With: Icarus
  • “he buried his body in a tomb, and the land was called from the name of him buried there.”
• Dædalus throws Perdix from the citadel and falsely claims he fell accidentally.(Fable72 · 📍 sacred citadel of Minerva)
  • With: Perdix
  • “Dædalus was envious, and threw him headlong from the sacred citadel of Minerva, falsely pretending that he had fallen {by accident}.”

Fable 71

• with Minos (Dædalus designs the labyrinth commissioned by Minos.) “Minos resolves to remove the disgrace from his abode, and to enclose it in a habitation of many divisions, and an abode full of mazes. Dædalus, a man very famed for his skill in architecture, plans the work,”
• with Theseus (Dædalus made the labyrinth from which Theseus escapes.) “The lot falls on Theseus, who, by the assistance of Ariadne, kills the monster, escapes from the labyrinth, which Dædalus made”

Fable 72

• child: Icarus (parent->child) “His son Icarus stands together with him; and, ignorant that he is handling {the source of} danger to himself, with a smiling countenance, he sometimes catches at the feathers which the shifting breeze is ruffling;”
• pupil: Perdix (mentor->pupil) “The sister of Dædalus commits her son Perdix to his care, for the purpose of being educated.”
• with Perdix (Dædalus attempted to kill Perdix) “Dædalus was envious, and threw him headlong from the sacred citadel of Minerva, falsely pretending that he had fallen {by accident}.”
• with Minos (Minos persecutes or confines Dædalus) “Although Minos,” said he, “may beset the land and the sea, still the skies, at least, are open.”
• ward: Perdix (Dædalus is entrusted with Perdix's education.) “The sister of Dædalus commits her son Perdix to his care, for the purpose of being educated.”
• younger kin: Perdix (Perdix is identified as Dædalus's nephew.) “probably Perdix, his nephew, whose story is related by Ovid.”
• enemies with Perdix (Dædalus's jealousy led to an attempted or actual killing of Perdix.) “Dædalus had been exiled for murdering one of his scholars in a fit of jealousy; probably Perdix, his nephew, whose story is related by Ovid.”
• enemies with Minos (Dædalus is confined in Minos's realm and seeks to escape him.) “In the meantime, Dædalus, abhorring Crete and his prolonged exile,[16] and inflamed by the love of his native soil, was enclosed {there} by the sea. “Although Minos,” said he, “may beset the land and the sea, still the skies, at least, are open.”

Fable 73

• with Cocalus (Cocalus aids Dædalus.) “Cocalus,[23] taking up arms for him as he entreated, was commended for his kindness.”

Fable 109

• child: Iapyx “Iapygia was a name which Calabria received from Iapyx, the son of Dædalus.”

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Extracted from the original text of The Metamorphoses of Ovid. Made with Rho MD.