A predominant feature of Minoan culture was their affiliation with nature and the worship of a female goddess. Through their art, archaeologists have been able to identify the multiple roles the goddess represented. The Minoans also worshipped a male god, represented by the bull and the sun otherwise known as the ‘Earthshaker’. In later mythology,…
The Minoans came from one place—Crete—as far as evidence shows, yet their influence stretches across the Aegean to mainland Greece. The reconstruction of the palaces at Pylos, Tiryns and Mycenae show similar structural features as did the artwork. The confluence of such occurrences was a result of trade which the Minoans were renowned. The fame…
The Minoans came from somewhere, the question was where? In 2013, examination of the DNA of skeletal remains answered the puzzling enigma that surrounded the origins of the Minoans. Prior to this discovery, Sir Arthur Evans, opined the Minoans had to have come from Egypt and who were exiled from their homeland. ancient egyptancient greeksArchaeologyBronze…
For my next series, I’ll be delving into the world of the Minoans but before I get into this amazing civilisation I’d like to explain why. Many of you following my blog would know back in May, I published a novel called Search for the Golden Serpent. One reviewer wrote: “This is a tale of…
I couldn’t resist borrowing Douglas Adams’ title of the fourth book of his series Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy for this blog post. Brilliant books if you haven’t read them. Apt too, as the dolphins leave planet Earth knowing it was fated to be destroyed long before the humans cottoned on. This makes me wonder…
‘…nine thousand was the sum of years which had elapsed since the war which was said to have taken place between those who dwelt outside the Pillars of Heracles and all who dwelt within them; this war I am going to describe. Of the combatants on the one side, the city of Athens was reported…
In a number posts I’ve mentioned the similarities between Plato’s Atlantis, the island of Thira/Santorini and the Minoans. In my research for my series Servant of the Gods, my focus was on the Atlantean myth. I love researching and looking for information which would help with writing my story. In the course of my sleuthing…
Legends and mythologies have a basis in fact, the nexus from which ancient cultures tried to make sense of their world. It was a way to explain decisions and actions a person makes and to give guidance. Long before the bible, these tales served to provide instructions and warnings to communities. For example take Herakles…
3,500 years ago there was a small unique island in the Greek Cyclades, with a thriving metropolis, strong trade and a thalassocracy, naval supremacy. Then in a single day and night, there was a mighty eruption, the largest and most destructive in the world’s history. Even to this day, no other eruption has come close…
I wrote a post about Hera as part of the Olympian Gods series titled The Price of Love and focused on the mythology for which she was famously known. This article will be more about her pre-history. Thought I’d better get in first before she takes over! ancient greeceargivesargoscataclysmic destructioneternal questfemale deitiesflora and faunagreek goddessGreek…
Luciana Cavallaro 