Labyrinth

mythological labyrinth in the palace of Knossos

The original Labyrinth was an elaborate structure designed and built by the legendary Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos.

Silver coin from Knossos representing the labyrinth, 400 BC
labyrinth

Its function was to hold the Minotaur, which was eventually killed by the hero Theseus. Daedalus had so cleverly made the Labyrinth that he could barely escape it after he built it.

Pliny's Natural History mentions four ancient labyrinths: the Cretan labyrinth, an Egyptian labyrinth, a Lemnian labyrinth, and an Italian labyrinth.