Talos is a bronze mythical giant, the first robot in history to defend Minoan Crete from invasions. He is also one of the most popular fairytale characters in the ancient world and one of the most important Greek myths.
How and why Talos was created
Talos was not born, like people and gods, but was created according to one version by Zeus himself, according to another - by order of Zeus either Daedalus or Hephaestus (the god of fire and iron).
Talos, as well as a golden dog, from which no one could escape, and a quiver with arrows that always hit the target, were three gifts of Zeus to his beloved Europe, who gave him three sons - Minos (the legendary king of Knossos) Radamantis and Sarpedon.
On coins found in the Minoan palace of Festus, Talos is depicted as young and winged. Probably, wings can explain its high speed, since it could fly around Crete three times in a day.
Outwardly, Talos looks like a huge man, with a body of copper. He only had one vein to keep him alive. It began at the shoulder and ended at the ankle, and instead of blood, molten steel flowed in it. Copper nails were screwed into the ankle, which prevented the pouring out.
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Talos the sleepless guard of Crete
Talos' job was to defend the island from any attacker, circling Crete three times a day. In Minoan Crete, traces of the walls that protected the city were not found, so Evans, the archaeologist of Knossos, spoke of the famous and amazing "Minoan world", which could be the result of the giant's defense.
It looks like Minos was completely safe with such a guard. Talos did not allow any enemy ship to approach the shore, throwing huge boulders that sank wooden ships. If some ship nevertheless managed to avoid sinking and he moored to the shore, then an unpleasant surprise awaited him: Talos entered the water, his bronze hull heated up and the ships burned to the ground.
There is a legend according to which the inhabitants of Sardinia (Italy) were burned and therefore their bodies were found with their mouths open in pain and horror.
As legend has it, Talos burst into laughter after the massacre of the enemies of Crete. Perhaps this is the origin of the expression "sardonic laughter", that is, the sarcastic laugh of the winner who mocks the vanquished.
Talos - Defender of the Law in Crete
Protecting Crete was not Talos' only duty, he also had to protect Cretans from injustice. Three times a year he flew around all the villages, carrying on his back bronze plates engraved with divine righteous laws. The goal was to enforce these laws in the state.
In the cities, Radamantis and his brother Minos were responsible for the observance of laws, who after death became judges of souls in Adis and symbols of absolute justice.
Death of Talos
Talos over the years defeated the enemies who came to Crete, until his time came. Of course, the bronze giant could not die from arrows or weapons, nor from old age. Talos died of a conspiracy.
The Argo is a mythical ship with the crew of Iason and the Argonauts who traveled through Gelespont. Arriving on the southern coast of Crete, the Argonauts decided to rest and replenish their supplies.
Let's not forget that they have already passed Colchis, where Jason, with the help of Medea (the daughter of the King of Colchis-Eytis), obtained the golden fleece.
In addition to the rune, he took with him his beloved Medea. In mythology, it is mentioned that Medea was the niece of Pacifei (wife of Minos and queen of Minoan Crete), which is probably why they chose Crete to stop.
Approaching the shore, they encountered a giant throwing stones at them. The ship could sink before Medea got down to business. She spoke to Talos, casting a spell, she made Talos pull the nails from his ankles. Thus, all his "blood" poured out, and a lifeless body fell to the ground.
There is a second shorter version, according to which Medea, having looked Talos in the eyes, and casting spells, drove him crazy. Talos began to rush from side to side, knocked down a nail, and then died.
What the legend of Talos symbolizes
The bronze hero Talos became a symbol of the progress of metallurgy in prehistoric Minoan times. He reached such a high level that a hero appeared in the fantasy of the people to protect them.
Another very important meaning of Talos was that he was in the service of justice. This confirms the great importance that ancient Crete attached to law and justice.