The bison heads hanging above the courthouse's entryways serve as another example of the dialogue the building has with ancient classical sources. These menacing faces, decorated with classical headpieces that feature maze-like patterns, visually evoke the Greek myth of the labyrinth, Minos, and the Minotaur. 

According to the myth, Minos, the king of Crete, had prayed to Poseidon for a majestic white bull, in order to prove his support from the gods, and thus his authority to rule. In addition, he had promised to sacrifice the bull if it were gifted to him. And so Poseidon answered his prayer; but Minos, entranced by the bull's beauty, decided to keep it and sacrifice one that was less beautiful. This arrogance angered Poseidon, and had led him to curse Pasiphae, Minos' wife, to fall in love with that very same animal. As a result of this punishment, Pasiphae had given birth to the Minotaur, a creature with the body of a man and head of a bull.

Ashamed of this beast, Minos had a labyrinth built to keep the Minotaur hidden away from the public. Similarly, the courthouse could be seen as a labyrinth itself, designed to keep those who threaten the city’s safety, image, and integrity hidden away. Just as the Minotaur was destined to dwell in the center of a labyrinth, so is any criminal navigating the paths of justice and law inside the courthouse. 

It is also worthy to note that after his death, Minos became a judge in the Underworld for Hades. Beyond the courthouse's association with the labyrinth and the Minotaur, this idea further shapes the building as a monument of judgment and severity, which is especially captured by the intimidating gaze that the bison heads project down onto those who walk beneath them. 

Sources:

Black, John. “The Myth of the Minotaur.” Ancient Origins, Ancient Origins, 13 Mar. 2013. Web.

Garcia, Brittany. "Minotaur." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 01 Sep. 2013. Web.

"Minotaur." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web.