The Minoan Deities: Goddesses and Gods

Long before Homer and Hesiod invoked the Muses and began to proclaim the deeds of gods and heroes, a civilisation had flourished there in Crete for over 1000 years before their time. Their script, which is today called linear A, remains unknown, and thus, most of what we know about them comes from the buildings they left behind-the famous palaces, Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, and Zakros- but also through the oldest language of man, the painting that was favoured during their period.

The Minoans flourished during the period today called Bronze Age, specifically the period between 2700 and 1400 or 1100 BC. Their name was given by sir Arthur Evans, who led the excavations at Knossos. He coined this term based on the legendary king of Crete, Minos. 

From the artefacts that have survived, we can understand that religion played a central role in their lives. The names of the deities differed significantly from those of the traditional Ancient Greek religion, the one known to all as Dodecatheon or Olympian religion. However, many of these appear in Linear B script, which evolved later when the Mycenaeans descended and occupied the island.    

From what has survived, we observe the preponderance of female figures, which is why many believe that the inhabitants of Crete worshipped a goddess of nature or earth like the people of middle east. 

The Potnia of Labyrinth is perhaps the most significant element this claim. It appears in Linear B. The title ''Potnia'' is Mycenaean and means ''Lady'' or ''Mistress'' , denoting her divine authority. The same title also appears on many tablets found in many other locations, such as Pylos. The second term, which is read as (Da-pu-ri-to-jo), is interpreted as ''Labyrinth''. The first syllable (da-pu) is believed to be purely Minoan and consequently very difficult to interpret. 

The Potnia appears in many representations, characterized by the double axes, snakes, doves, and other symbols of nature, while she is close to the Minoan snake goddess. Later, after 1100 BC, many qualities were absorbed by the goddess Athena, despite the fact that Athena herself is mentioned on a separate tablet. This association was likely aided by common attributes that the two deities already shared.

Another interesting deity of the forgotten Minoan world is Britomartis. Many interpretations have been given for her name, but it is most likely that is pre-Hellenic, originating from an ancient Cretan dialect. It is traditionally interpreted as ''sweet maiden'', while others have suggested that it may be a title rather than a specific goddess. her main characteristics present her as a goddess of wild life and hunting, and in Classical-era coins, she is depicted with wings. She became strongly associated with Artemis when the Olympian religion spread, and it is even possible that Artemis herself has Minoan origins. In later Greek religion, she ended up being worshipped as a mere nymph. Today, she is considered one of the most authentic Minoan goddesses. 

Eileithyia (e-re-u-ti-ja) in Linear B was a deity not only of Crete but also of many Aegean islands. She is recognised as pre-Hellenic. The etymology of her name is uncertain, although researchers have connected it with the verb ''to come'' (eilthe) and the word ''arrival'' (eleusis), something that emphasises her role as goddess of childbirth. Homer mentions her both in Iliad, where the reference is in plural, and they are daughters of Hera, having authority over bitter pains, and in the Odyssey, she is mentioned in the singular. 

The Potnia Athena (Ata-na Po-ti-ni-ja) is another reference in Linear B and perhaps one of the oldest attested instances of the worship of the goddess Athena in ancient Greece. As mentioned above, ''Potnia'' translates as 'lady' or 'Mistress', so already from the Mycenaean era, Athena was worshipped as a protector of the city or the palace, in martial attire. Unlike the Potnia of the Labyrinth, her role appears to have been catholic rather than local. 

Beyond the female deities, there are indeed representations of male deities, who almost always accompanied the female goddesses. Velchanos is one such example. He is considered by many to be the son or consort of the Great Goddess and, as it seems, was later identified with Zeus. According to Cretan mythology, Zeus was not immortal but died periodically, which leads many to believe that his worship was probably connected with vegetation and the annual cycles of life, death, and rebirth. 

Other male figures that appear very frequently include the so-called Master of Animals (Pontios Theron), a figure associated with wild animals, such as lions. various theories suggest that the sacred symbol of the double axe and the sacred horns are connected with such gods. Other figures include Drimios, and unknown local deity found in Linear B, who is conjectured to have been worshipped in Crete and is refereed to as a son of Zeus.

Author: Theocharis George Paterakis

References:

          Wikipedia contributors. (2025, November 17). Minoan religion. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minoan_religion

          Bronze Age Minoan Religion | Rhodes sites. (n.d.). https://sites.rhodes.edu/sackett/minoan-religion/bronze-age-minoan-religion

          Rebecca. (2022, August 24). Velchanos, the son-lover. Rebecca Lochlann. https://rebeccalochlann.wordpress.com/2011/10/16/velchanos-the-son-lover/

          Wikipedia contributors. (2025a, September 2). Britomartis. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Britomartis

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