In Cretan mythology, the figure known as the king of the minotaurs is Minos. He ruled the island of Crete and was associated with the legendary creature, the Minotaur, which was imprisoned in a labyrinth as a punishment for Minos’ hubris. This narrative highlights themes of power, guilt, and the consequences of defying the natural order. King Minos' rule ultimately symbolizes the struggle between authority and monstrosity, embodying the clash between civilization and chaos that resonates throughout various mythological traditions.