Greek Myths XS: Daidalos-Daedalus and the Partridge

The architect Daidalos is most famous for creating the labyrinth under the palace on Crete. But he would have had a carpentry- and art workshop at Athens first. At least, that’s what the Athenians maintain. There, he perfected his craft and his fame grew fast. As did his ego. When it transpired that his apprentice Perdix, the son of his sister, was at least as ingenious as his uncle, he wasn’t happy. He didn’t like one bit that Perdix had invented the saw, inspired by the spine of a fish. Nor that he thought of creating a compass from two pieces of iron. And even less that the boy designed the first pottery wheel. So one day, when they visited one of Daidalos’ famous buildings together, Perdix was pushed out of a tower window by his uncle. Luckily for him – in some fashion – the goddess Athena, always the protector of talent, transformed him into a partridge. This myth learns us two things: “When a man has his eyes on money, his own advantage comes before the gods.” (Pausanias). And also why partridges are afraid of heights.

Perdix, Print, William Walker, British Museum, London, UK

Athena changes Perdix into a Partridge, Crispijn the Elder,

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, the Netherlands