picture of a detail of a taurokathapsia fresco with a charghing bull

Taurokathapsia is one of the tipical motif of the Middle Bronze age figurative art. This theme was widespread between the Aegean Sea to the Indus Valley thanks to the trade routes that were linking different civilizations. Taurokathapsia was a non-violent ritual sport based on an acrobat leaping over a charging bull. In the Knosso palace this theme was largely used in frescos.

Knosso Palace North Entrance Crete Heraklion Classical Mythology Minoan Taurokathapsia