The most apparent characteristic of Minoan religion was that it was polytheistic and matriarchal, that is, a goddess religion; the gods were all female, not a single male god has been identified until later periods.
It is not easy to describe the nature of the mother-goddess of Crete.
There are numerous representations of goddesses, which leads to the conclusion that the Cretans were polytheistic, while others argue that these represent manifestations of the one goddess.
Goddesses:
- Britomartis - female spirit of nature
- Pasiphae - daughter of sun and moon, preistess-queen of crete
- Europa - moon goddess
- The Snake Goddess - household goddess (gaurdian angel)
- Goddess of Vegetation
- Mistress of Animals (or of the Mountain)
Role of Women in Religion
- Women dominated the preisthood
- Although the monarch was generally a king, the society, itself, was more matriarchal
=>Why were the idols made from cheaper materials? How did the role of the snake goddess change in the different eras of the palace?
Places or Worship
- Palaces - Ground Level (food offerings)
- Caves - Below Ground (blood offerings)
- Peaks Sanctuaries - Higher elevation (only figures of animals?)
=>What significance does elevation have to worship and sacrifices?
- Town - public
- Palace - semi-private, for upper crust only?
- Home - private
=>Relationship between worship to social status and location ?
Palace of Knossos
The South Propylon is the most imposing building in the south wing. A second, paved courtyard to the west of the palace, equipped with the "processional ways" (narrow causeways), was probably used for religious ceremonies. The palace had many storeys, it was built of ashlar blocks and its walls were decorated with splendid frescoes (see below), mostly representing religious ceremonies (Source).
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