The Minotaur was a real mythological creature in ancient Minoan worship - Apparently.
The Minotaur, a half-man half-bull creature, was a central figure in the mythology of the Minoan civilization, which flourished on the island of Crete from around 2600 to 1100 BCE. Archaeological evidence suggests that the Minotaur was a symbol of power and fertility, and was often depicted in artwork and frescoes from the period. The myth of the Minotaur was later adopted by the ancient Greeks and became famous through the story of Theseus and the Labyrinth.