Why is the minotaur depicted as carrying an axe?

The Minotaur is often depicted carrying an axe as a symbol of power and menace, reflecting its brutal nature as a creature born of a union between a bull and a human. The axe also represents the violent and primal aspects of the Minotaur's character, emphasizing its role as a formidable guardian of the labyrinth. Additionally, the axe may evoke associations with sacrifice and the violent fate that awaited those who entered its domain, reinforcing the creature's connection to themes of death and destruction in mythology.