𐀁𐀔𐁀 Hermahai
@hermahai.bsky.social
📚 Enthusiast of the prehistoric civilizations of the Aegean and Greek protohistory.
🔎 Mycenaeans, Minoans, Aegean Scripts, but also Greek Early Iron Age.
🌐 https://x.com/hermahai
🔎 Mycenaeans, Minoans, Aegean Scripts, but also Greek Early Iron Age.
🌐 https://x.com/hermahai
10/ To sum up, the Ancient Greeks tried to understand their distant past through various ambiguous myths that reflected either oral histories of various vague memories, or misrepresented narratives whose main purpose was to serve selfish interests, as in the case of the Athenians.
December 22, 2024 at 10:59 AM
10/ To sum up, the Ancient Greeks tried to understand their distant past through various ambiguous myths that reflected either oral histories of various vague memories, or misrepresented narratives whose main purpose was to serve selfish interests, as in the case of the Athenians.
👉 exogenous cultural innovations appeared on the island. The reference to Levantine Europe aimed to strengthen Crete's ties with the wealthy royal courts of the Near East, with which it had significant commercial and other contacts.
December 22, 2024 at 10:59 AM
👉 exogenous cultural innovations appeared on the island. The reference to Levantine Europe aimed to strengthen Crete's ties with the wealthy royal courts of the Near East, with which it had significant commercial and other contacts.
9/ As for the Levantine origin of Minos' mother, I do not believe that this is linked to a Semitic origin of the Minoans, since all genetic evidence indicates an origin from Anatolia that was enriched with Caucasian gene flow during the Final Neolithic, when significant 👉
December 22, 2024 at 10:59 AM
9/ As for the Levantine origin of Minos' mother, I do not believe that this is linked to a Semitic origin of the Minoans, since all genetic evidence indicates an origin from Anatolia that was enriched with Caucasian gene flow during the Final Neolithic, when significant 👉
👉 according to which the Knossian ruler was the supreme religious leader, the person through whom the gods communicated with their flock and the one who knew how to appease them. According to one version of myth, Zeus couple with Europa on Dikteon Andron, a great minoan cult cave.
December 22, 2024 at 10:59 AM
👉 according to which the Knossian ruler was the supreme religious leader, the person through whom the gods communicated with their flock and the one who knew how to appease them. According to one version of myth, Zeus couple with Europa on Dikteon Andron, a great minoan cult cave.
8/ Regarding the divine origin of Minos, we could find a series of elements that connect the hegemonic elite of Knossos with Ida, the birthplace of Zeus: Ida was the main religious place of the Minoans. The Minoan rulers based their power on a political-religious ideology 👉
December 22, 2024 at 10:59 AM
8/ Regarding the divine origin of Minos, we could find a series of elements that connect the hegemonic elite of Knossos with Ida, the birthplace of Zeus: Ida was the main religious place of the Minoans. The Minoan rulers based their power on a political-religious ideology 👉
👉 confirms the dominant role of the Minoan Cretans in the Aegean and the colonization of the islands through the foundation of colonies and trading posts. Also the Minoan dominance in the Aegean was achieved thanks to a powerful navy and an army that used cutting-edge weapons.
December 22, 2024 at 10:59 AM
👉 confirms the dominant role of the Minoan Cretans in the Aegean and the colonization of the islands through the foundation of colonies and trading posts. Also the Minoan dominance in the Aegean was achieved thanks to a powerful navy and an army that used cutting-edge weapons.
7/ Within this context, we could assume that the mythical king Minos was the personification of a Minoan hegemonic dynasty that established palatial administration on the island, adopted an Aegean writing system and created a complex Minoan society. Archaeological evidence 👉
December 22, 2024 at 10:59 AM
7/ Within this context, we could assume that the mythical king Minos was the personification of a Minoan hegemonic dynasty that established palatial administration on the island, adopted an Aegean writing system and created a complex Minoan society. Archaeological evidence 👉
👉 a Minoan official title or anthroponym. Although various interpretations of the word, either of Indo-European or Semitic origin, have been proposed, it is very likely that this particular word conceals the Minoan word for king (Minos = the king).
December 22, 2024 at 10:59 AM
👉 a Minoan official title or anthroponym. Although various interpretations of the word, either of Indo-European or Semitic origin, have been proposed, it is very likely that this particular word conceals the Minoan word for king (Minos = the king).
6/ But let's start from the beginning and put things on a rational basis. At first glance, the anthroponym Minos seems to be of uncertain origin. However, in four LM IB Linear A' tablets from the palace of Haghia Triada, the word mi-nu-te appears, which reflects 👉
December 22, 2024 at 10:59 AM
6/ But let's start from the beginning and put things on a rational basis. At first glance, the anthroponym Minos seems to be of uncertain origin. However, in four LM IB Linear A' tablets from the palace of Haghia Triada, the word mi-nu-te appears, which reflects 👉
5/ All of the above ancient Greek references to Minos oscillate between myth and reality, attempting to specify the Minoan Cretans, although in the case of the Athenians an attempt is observed to stimulate the patriotic feeling of the citizens (Theseus).
December 22, 2024 at 10:59 AM
5/ All of the above ancient Greek references to Minos oscillate between myth and reality, attempting to specify the Minoan Cretans, although in the case of the Athenians an attempt is observed to stimulate the patriotic feeling of the citizens (Theseus).
4/ Another element is the Athenians' references about the evil Minos. They present him as a cruel tyrant, whom his subjects feared, a disrespectful and faithless man who constantly boasted, and above all as a heartless ruler who had imposed a heavy tribute on the Athenians.
December 22, 2024 at 10:59 AM
4/ Another element is the Athenians' references about the evil Minos. They present him as a cruel tyrant, whom his subjects feared, a disrespectful and faithless man who constantly boasted, and above all as a heartless ruler who had imposed a heavy tribute on the Athenians.
3/ Minos reigned from the Knossos, which he made the most famous city in the Aegean, and was the founder of the labyrinth. Of particular interest is the fact that his mother, Europa,was the daughter of the king of Tyre that she was kidnapped and taken to Crete by his father, Zeus.
December 22, 2024 at 10:59 AM
3/ Minos reigned from the Knossos, which he made the most famous city in the Aegean, and was the founder of the labyrinth. Of particular interest is the fact that his mother, Europa,was the daughter of the king of Tyre that she was kidnapped and taken to Crete by his father, Zeus.
2/ He had the perspicacity to colonize the Aegean islands and defeat the pirates who "polluted" the seas, promoting peace and trade. However, he also had another aspect: he is presented as a wise legislator, gaining great fame and becoming after his death the judge of the dead.
December 22, 2024 at 10:59 AM
2/ He had the perspicacity to colonize the Aegean islands and defeat the pirates who "polluted" the seas, promoting peace and trade. However, he also had another aspect: he is presented as a wise legislator, gaining great fame and becoming after his death the judge of the dead.
1/ Ancient Greek texts refer to a mythical king of Crete with divine origins and extraordinary abilities, Minos. Thucydides reports that Minos was the most ancient king of Crete, who dominated the entire Aegean with a powerful fleet (Minoan Thalassocracy). #Minoans
December 22, 2024 at 10:59 AM
1/ Ancient Greek texts refer to a mythical king of Crete with divine origins and extraordinary abilities, Minos. Thucydides reports that Minos was the most ancient king of Crete, who dominated the entire Aegean with a powerful fleet (Minoan Thalassocracy). #Minoans
13/ In conclusion, Evans, with his excavations at Knossos, brought to light a brilliant Aegean prehistoric civilization that had been lost for centuries. But his narrative about the Minoan Cretans and his reconstructions of monuments and artifacts to support this was a disaster.
December 17, 2024 at 6:22 PM
13/ In conclusion, Evans, with his excavations at Knossos, brought to light a brilliant Aegean prehistoric civilization that had been lost for centuries. But his narrative about the Minoan Cretans and his reconstructions of monuments and artifacts to support this was a disaster.
12/ Other fake artefacts appear to have been the Baltimore snake goddess, the Seattle Boy God and the Ashmolean Boy God, and the steatite goddess in the Walters, Baltimore. Some of these are labeled by the museums where they are exhibited as dubious dating.
December 17, 2024 at 6:22 PM
12/ Other fake artefacts appear to have been the Baltimore snake goddess, the Seattle Boy God and the Ashmolean Boy God, and the steatite goddess in the Walters, Baltimore. Some of these are labeled by the museums where they are exhibited as dubious dating.
👉 figurine bears great similarities to the corresponding figurines discovered by Evans at Knossos,but in some places non-Minoan making techniques were used and the face bears modern features. The radiocarbon dating of the ivory gave a chronological range between 1420 and 1635 AD.
December 17, 2024 at 6:22 PM
👉 figurine bears great similarities to the corresponding figurines discovered by Evans at Knossos,but in some places non-Minoan making techniques were used and the face bears modern features. The radiocarbon dating of the ivory gave a chronological range between 1420 and 1635 AD.
11/ For example, the gold and ivory snake goddess acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston in 1914. The figurine arrived in the US in many fragments in a small tin, and was restored using wax and plaster because the right arm and part of the skirt were missing. The restored 👉
December 17, 2024 at 6:22 PM
11/ For example, the gold and ivory snake goddess acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston in 1914. The figurine arrived in the US in many fragments in a small tin, and was restored using wax and plaster because the right arm and part of the skirt were missing. The restored 👉
👉and most importantly,all of them appeared after the prominence of Evans' discoveries at Knossos. It is widely believed that fake Minoan artifacts were manufactured by Evans' associates based on genuine prototypes and promoted to museums through antiquities trafficking networks.
December 17, 2024 at 6:22 PM
👉and most importantly,all of them appeared after the prominence of Evans' discoveries at Knossos. It is widely believed that fake Minoan artifacts were manufactured by Evans' associates based on genuine prototypes and promoted to museums through antiquities trafficking networks.
10/ Returning to the topic of fake figurines, we note that they all have a common pattern of appearance: an imprecise archaeological locations of discovery, an indefinite history of acquisition, a similarity to genuine Minoan artifacts,but also substantial differences with them, 👉
December 17, 2024 at 6:22 PM
10/ Returning to the topic of fake figurines, we note that they all have a common pattern of appearance: an imprecise archaeological locations of discovery, an indefinite history of acquisition, a similarity to genuine Minoan artifacts,but also substantial differences with them, 👉
👉of working ivory and creating elaborate figurines over 40 cm tall. Parts of such figurines representing hands and feet of human figures have been found, where particular importance is given to the depiction of the muscles and veins, a fact that conceals specialized techniques.
December 17, 2024 at 6:22 PM
👉of working ivory and creating elaborate figurines over 40 cm tall. Parts of such figurines representing hands and feet of human figures have been found, where particular importance is given to the depiction of the muscles and veins, a fact that conceals specialized techniques.
👉 ivory figurines have been found at Knossos (male acrobat), at Palaikastro (ivory boys) and at Archanes. The famous Kouros, a 50 cm tall figurine of a young deity made from hippopotamus tusks,was found at Palaikastro. Evidence indicates the existence of a Neopalatial tradition 👉
December 17, 2024 at 6:22 PM
👉 ivory figurines have been found at Knossos (male acrobat), at Palaikastro (ivory boys) and at Archanes. The famous Kouros, a 50 cm tall figurine of a young deity made from hippopotamus tusks,was found at Palaikastro. Evidence indicates the existence of a Neopalatial tradition 👉
9/ Here it would be necessary to emphasize that ivory figurines are rare in Minoan Crete and mainly concern various poorly preserved parts of these objects, as they were joined together with perishable materials in order to constitute the final form of a figurine. Fragments of 👉
December 17, 2024 at 6:22 PM
9/ Here it would be necessary to emphasize that ivory figurines are rare in Minoan Crete and mainly concern various poorly preserved parts of these objects, as they were joined together with perishable materials in order to constitute the final form of a figurine. Fragments of 👉
8/ This led to the creation of fake Minoan objects, such as the ivory snake goddesses of Boston and Baltimore. Similarities between the fake figurines and the figurines that Evans discovered led him to support their authenticity despite strong opposing views.
December 17, 2024 at 6:22 PM
8/ This led to the creation of fake Minoan objects, such as the ivory snake goddesses of Boston and Baltimore. Similarities between the fake figurines and the figurines that Evans discovered led him to support their authenticity despite strong opposing views.
7/ Despite Evans' amateurish actions, the prominence of the reconstructed figurines in combination with his narrative about Minoan snake worship found particular resonance in the global public opinion of the time, resulting in museums desiring to possess such popular objects.
December 17, 2024 at 6:22 PM
7/ Despite Evans' amateurish actions, the prominence of the reconstructed figurines in combination with his narrative about Minoan snake worship found particular resonance in the global public opinion of the time, resulting in museums desiring to possess such popular objects.