The death of the ancient Greek robot Talos as depicted on a 5th century BC vase now displayed in Jatta Archaeological Museum, Italy. Credit: Forzaruvo94/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0The legend of Talos, the ancient Greek robot, can be given an impressive distinction: it birthed the first humanoid robot in history. The myth of the bronze giant and protector of Minoan Crete is relevant even to this day.
Ancient Greek robot
In a modern world obsessed with technology, it might be surprising to know the first humanoid robot was to be found in ancient Greece. He was not born but was made—either by Zeus himself, the craftsman Daidalos, or Hephaestus, the god of fire and iron, on the order of Zeus, according to ancient legend.
The ancient Greek robot as portrayed on a Cretan coin from around 300 BC. Credit: Jastrow /Wikimedia Commons/Public DomainIn a coin found in the Minoan palace of Phaistos, Talos is portrayed in the nude, like most gods and warriors, and as a young man with wings. Myth has it that the wings were to give him the speed to circle the whole of Crete three times a day.
Talos’ body was made of bronze. He had one single vein that gave him life, starting from the neck and ending in his ankles. Instead of blood, however, molten metal flowed in his veins. In his ankle, a bronze nail acted as a stopper to retain this life-giving liquid.
Protector of Crete
Talos’ job was to protect Crete from outside attacks. He would not allow ships to approach the island, hurling giant rocks at potential invaders. Invaders at the time would have included pirates, as well as other assorted enemies of the Minoans.
