Who is credited with slaying the Minotaur?

Theseus is credited with slaying the Minotaur, a creature that was part man and part bull, residing in the labyrinth of Crete. According to Greek mythology, Theseus volunteered to be one of the youths sent to Crete as a tribute to King Minos, who had devised this fate to prevent further conflict with Athens. With the help of Ariadne, Minos’s daughter, Theseus received a ball of thread that he used to navigate the labyrinth. Once inside, he was able to confront and ultimately kill the Minotaur, thereby ending the terrible cycle of sacrifice that afflicted his home city of Athens. This act showcased Theseus as a hero who was brave and cunning, embodying the ideals of ancient Greek values.

Other figures like Orpheus, Jason, and Perseus have their own mythological tales, but they are not associated with the Minotaur. Orpheus is known for his journey to the Underworld to reclaim his wife, Jason is famous for leading the Argonauts in the quest for the Golden Fleece, and Perseus is acclaimed for slaying Medusa and other adventures, making Theseus the rightful hero of this particular myth.