Lore:Minotaur

s, also called man-bulls or bull-men, are a species of   native to Cyrodiil with the body of a man and the head of a bull. During the  , they were said to have symbolized the  , but in later eras became more commonly perceived as savage monsters by the people of  .  

They have thick grey or sometimes brown or red  hide and fur, and large curved horns. Some Minotaurs clothe themselves in a simple loincloth and shawl or wear nose-rings. Others wear intricate leather armor, and some prefer to be completely naked. They are most commonly found in the Blackwood,   ,   and the   regions of Cyrodiil,  as well as The Scar of Elsweyr,  the Reach of Skyrim,  and in ancient times across Valenwood.   
 

Origins
 :"We are ada, Mor, and change things through love. We must take care lest we beget more monsters on this earth. If you do not desist, she will take to you, and you will transform all Cyrod if you do this."—Pelinal on Morihaus and Alessia.
thumb|right|A winged Minotaur
Although no records survive to confirm their origins, some scholars claim that Minotaurs trace their lineage back to the relationship between Empress   and  . Their union gave birth to   the Man-Bull, believed to be one of the first Minotaurs, who ruled the Empire after the death of Alessia.  Conversely, other scholars dismiss such theories as both lightly heretical and having no basis in historical fact.  Regardless, in the years during and after Empress Alessia's reign, Minotaurs began to appear in greater and greater numbers. During this time, it's believed the early Minotaurs possessed intelligence and culture comparable to other races of beastfolk. Artwork and texts from the First Era suggest they were fiercely loyal to the Empire and were among Empress Alessia's most devoted defenders.   Some sources place Minotaurs on Tamriel before the  , and therefore before the union of Alessia and Morihaus. 

Despite their devotion to the Empire, Minotaurs were always a target of suspicion and fear because of their size and strength. With the rise of the fanatical  , they were re-classified as 'monsters' no better than  s or  s and were driven into the forests, destroying whatever culture they previously possessed.  Much of the evidence to support this claim was also destroyed in the intervening period while the Alessian Order ruled the Empire. One remaining fragment of an ancient tablet depicts Alessian troops revolting against Emperor Belharza, giving some credence to the theory.  Minotaurs were not entirely wiped out by the Alessians, and continue to roam the backwoods and hills of Cyrodiil throughout the following eras.  By the  , their noble ancestry was all but forgotten when some of them were rounded up and used as opponents for arena matches in the  . 

Characteristics
thumb|left|A minotaur in the Gold Coast sleeping at its camp, complete with a bedroll, cooking pot, fire, plates, and hoard of treasure
Although excessively male as a species,  female minotaurs do exist. Minotaurs are social creatures, and often appear in groups numbering twenty or more. The largest male dominates this clan structure and has breeding rights with all females of reproductive age. Younger males will often challenge this dominant male in a fight to the death.   They have been observed to hoard gold and treasures at their camps for reasons unknown. 

Minotaurs are notoriously strong and difficult opponents in combat, despite their false reputation as clumsy brutes.  They are resistant to  , can easily swing heavy weapons with one hand and   have the ability to tear through the toughest armor. The most powerful individuals are referred to as "Minotaur Lords".  They are believed to possess only rudimentary intelligence, but have a heightened sense of smell and can track a man by scent alone.  Although Minotaurs commonly fight with weapons, Minotaur shamans have the ability to use magic.  Minotaurs also served as the protectors of the   at  , which was killed in   for the glory of  .  The   beneath Elden Root was the final resting place for generations of minotaurs. 

One common observation of Minotaurs in the wild is that they tend to congregate around ancient ruins that were of significance to the  . Some believe they are drawn to guard these places on an instinctual level, possibly due to their ancestral connection to Morihaus, Belharza, or the Empire itself.    There are records of wizards placing hexes on Akaviri relics, drawing minotaurs in and around the tomb to guard it. "Yowling-powder" made from moon sugar,  ,  -peel, and daedra hearts can be used to break the enchantments on the relics, resulting in the minotaurs gradually leaving their post at the area. 
 
Relationship with Other Races
thumb|right|Morihaus, progenitor of Minotaurs
Minotaurs share little civil interaction with humans or elves, but are typically free to settle around the ruins they inhabit. Minotaurs possess their own language, but few men understand their speech.  They mostly keep to themselves when unprovoked, but are also very territorial and will react aggressively on intruding adventurers. As a result, most inhabitants of Cyrodiil stick to well traveled roads to avoid contact with such creatures. Hearsay surrounding Minotaurs includes  s being poisonous to them, which results in travelers eating several before a journey.  Other examples characterize them as "cruel man-eaters", and they are sometimes used to scare children in tales and song.   Conversely, some children's toys are made to resemble Minotaurs. 

Their severed heads are sometimes exported to other provinces, possibly to create wall-mounted decorations that were quite common in homes throughout Cyrodill.   Minotaur meat was often used in the mid-  to make slumgullion stew. . Oxblood fungal spores are known to grow on Minotaur, and are used by some blacksmiths in their work. Their horns are often displayed as prestigious hunting prizes or crafted into ornate warhorns and hunting horns.    Their horns are also valued by alchemists for their various   properties.  

Some blacksmiths honor the Minotaurs by creating armor and weapons inspired by their characteristics, such as the use of horns in its design or   iconography - appropriate for a race so deeply linked to the early history of Cyrodiil. 

Notable Minotaurs
Belharza: The first minotaur. 
Bhrum and Koska: Twin minotaurs who ransacked an expedition 
Domihaus: A colossal Minotaur warlord who allied with the   in   and attempted to take  .
Galrus Grimhorn: A Minotaur that became a champion of the   in   some time before 2E 582. 
Hruum the Red: A massive minotaur who killed Brumiun, Phalevon Vero's cousin 
Khaath the Old:  Killed by Phalevon and had his remains fashioned into the   
 : A colossal Minotaur encountered by the   in 2E 582. He was discovered underground in the ruins of Fort Faleria, where Lord   had enslaved and killed a large number of his kin centuries earlier. 
Rahdgarak: The champion of Hunter's Grotto

Gallery
 

See Also
For game-specific information, see the Arena, Oblivion, ESO and Legends articles.
Minotaur Names

Books
 
 
 
 

References