A complete dictionary of the Greek and Roman antiquities explaining the obscure places in classic authors and ancient historians relating to the religion, mythology, history, geography and chronology of the ancient Greeks and Romans, their ... rites and customs, laws, polity, arts and engines of war : also an account of their navigations, arts and sciences and the inventors of them : with the lives and opinions of their philosophers / compiled originally in French ... by Monsieur Danet ; made English, with the addition of very useful mapps.

DAEDALUS,

An Athenian, whom Mercury made famous in Mechanicks. He fled from Athens into Crete, where he went into the service of King Minos. There he made the Labyrinth with so many ways turn∣ing and winding about, that men who had got once into it, could never get out. Some∣time after Minos being displeased at him, put him into the same Labyrinth with his Son Icarus, but he made himself and his Son Wings, which he fastned with Wax, and so flew away. Icarus flew so high, and so near the Sun, contrary to his Fathers advice, that the Sun melted the Wax of his Wings, and he fell down into that Sea, which was ever since called after his name, the Icarian Sea. Dadalus flew safely to Sardinia, and from thence to Cumae, where he built a Temple to Apollo.

Diodorus Siculus enlarges the History or Fa∣ble of Daedalus, and says, that Daedalus was the Son of Micio an Athenian, and the most ingenious Artificer of his age for Mecha∣nicks, and invented the Plummer, the Au∣gur, the Rule, and many other Tools for the perfecting of that Art. He was the first also who in Statues expressed all the parts of Humane Body, in their natural Scituation, which gave birth to a report that he gave motion to them. Notwithstanding he had got a great name by his works, yet he was forced to fly from Athens, having been con∣demned to dye by the Areopagus, for the death of Talus his Nephew, whom he killed out of jealousy, because he had found out the Potters, and Turners Wheel, with all Tools fit for the perfection of that Art. He retired then to King Minos in Crete, who had married Pasiphae, one of the Daughters of the Su••. This King Minos offering one day a Bull in sacrifice to Neptune, kept a very fine one, and sacrificed a lesser in his place; whereupon the Gods grew angry, and inspired his Wife with an immoderate love for that Bull; and to enjoy him, Daeda∣lus made a wooden Cow, wherein Pasiphae putting herself, plaid the Beast with that Bull, and begot Minataurs.

Lucian thus unfolds this Fable.

I fancy, says he, Daedalus and his Son were learned in Astrology, and that the one having puz∣zled himself in that Science, gave occasion to the Fable. Perhaps also Pasiphae, having heard the other Discourse of the Celestial Bull, and of other Stars, became enomour'd with his Doctrïne, whereupon the Poets feigned that she was fallen in love with a Bull, which she enjoy'd by his means.

Au∣thors ascribe to Daedalus the invention of the Potters Wheel, the Plummet and the Sails for Ships; and this gave birth to the Fable of his having made Wings for himself to get out of Crete.

Diodorus Siculus continuing that History, says, that the Cretians refusing to obey Minos, after the death of his Father Asterius, he begg'd the assistance of a Prince, called 〈◊〉〈◊〉, with whom his Wife Pasiphae was in Love, and en∣joy'd him by the help of Daedalus, who fa∣voured it; but the King having discover'd the Intreague, they flew all away with Tau∣rus on board his Ships, to avoid the Anger of the Prince.

Philochorus says, that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was no∣thing else, but a cruel and bloody Officer of King Minos, called Taurus; and this King ha∣ving instituted Funeral Fights in remembrance of his Son Andregeas, Taurus did overcome all such who presented themselves to fight, and got the prize, which was a Tribute of some Children, that Minos exacted of the Athenians. Thesmus overcame him, and freed the Athenians from that unnatural Tribute.