Knossos was an ancient palace on the island of Crete where King Minos lived and ruled over the Minoan civilization. The palace served as the political and religious center, housing the Minotaur - a mythical beast that was half man and half bull - in its labyrinth. Each year, fourteen youths were sent as sacrifices to the Minotaur until Theseus, son of the king of Athens, volunteered to slay the monster and free the youths using a dagger given to him by King Minos' daughter Ariadne.