Power Ranges

Identity and Terrain in Minoan Crete

Bibliographic Data

ID12901384
AuthorsCarol Tully (0000-0003-3612-8965, The University of Melbourne, corresponding author), Sam Crooks (La Trobe University)
Year2019
Volume13
Issue2
Pages130-156
Publication date2019-09-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal for the Study of Religion Nature and Culture (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1749-4907 • E-ISSN: 1749-4915
PublisherEquinox Publishing (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1558/jsrnc.36629
OpenAlexW2971458976
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited31

During the Aegean Bronze Age, the island of Crete was home to Minoan civilisation (3100–1300 BCE). The Cretan landscape is characterised by prominent mountain ranges. During the Middle Bronze Age (c. 2000 BCE) cult sites began to proliferate on mountain peaks in response to climatic changes. Peak sanctuaries were locations of popular religious expression focussed on human, animal, and environmental health and fertility. In the Neopalatial period (1750–1490 BCE) peak sanctuary cults were appropriated by palatial elites and the Minoan cosmological framework, oriented toward mountains, was institutionalised. Analysis of the Minoan landscape, palatial art, architecture, and ritual performance demonstrates a close association between elite figures and real and symbolic mountains. The metaphysical terrain of Crete was politicised as mountain symbolism was used to naturalise Neopalatial elite status and identity. The mountain form signified and symbolised power relations functioning as an instrument of elite ideology

Aesthetics · Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Bronze Age · Civilization · Cult · Elite · Geography · Ideology · Megalith · Period (music · Politics · Power (physics · Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies · Classical Antiquity Studies · History

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