It is a well known fact that Minoan religion was somewhat influenced by Egyptian religion: but to what extent and in what manner? This will be the focus of Nanno Marinatos’ lecture “Broad Coalitions: Egypt and Crete during the 12th and 18th Dynasties” due to be given on Friday, December 18, in the framework of the Minoan Seminar series.
It will be argued that the transmission was not effected through trade, tourism or itinerant specialists, magicians and priests. Rather, the catalysts for change were the royal palaces themselves because they had a vested interest in forging common religious topoi with other major kings in order to facilitate interaction and diplomacy.
Three points will be examined.
1. The introduction of Egyptian religious ideograms in Crete occurred already during the 12th Egyptian Dynasty. A second peak of Egypto-Cretan relations, attested by Tell el Dab’a, may be observed during the 18th Dynasty.
2. Some of the Minoan iconographical schemes are too elaborate to have been products of accident or mere play. They suggest worked out concepts and ideas, inspired by Egypt.
3. The model of a somewhat primitive, earth-mother oriented religion as conceived by M. P. Nilsson is in need of drastic revision; Evans’ belief in Egypto-Minoan religion gives much better explanation of the data and explains the complex ideas behind them.
The seminar will be given in greek with bilingual discussion.
Where and when: The Archaeological Society at Athens, Panepistimiou 22, Athens; Friday, December 18, 2015, 6.30 p.m.
