Gortyn, Temple of the Egyptian Gods. 180 – 190 AD Hellenistic sculpture of the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC in Crete is represented by few known works. In the following Roman period, on the contrary, large numbers of statues were produced. Most of them are copies and reproductions of famous Classical and Hellenistic works, intended …

Marble statue group of Isis-Persephone and Sarapis-Hades Read More »

Archanes. c. 810 BC This model of a circular building from Archanes, probably a shrine or a tomb, is unique of its kind. It was previously in the Giamalakis Collection. Although it is dated to the Geometric period, it preserves many elements of Minoan cult. Through the doorway, which was closed by a separate door …

Clay model of circular building Read More »

Agia Pelagia. 450-425 BC Towards the end of the 6th century BC, relief funerary stelae appeared on Crete. These are flat stone slabs used as grave markers, on the pattern of the Attic stelae. This marble funerary stele of a young archer is crowned with a pediment and plain acroteria at the upper corners. A …

Funerary stele of young archer Read More »

Idaean Cave. 730 – 680 BC The shields from the Idaean Cave, among the finest masterpieces of the ancient world, are dated to the 8th and 7th centuries BC and adorned with incised and embossed scenes. They were deposited in the cave as votives, together with a wealth of other offerings, including exceptional examples of …

Bronze “tympanon” Read More »

Cave of Eileithyia, Inatos. 850-750 BC The Cave of Eileithyia, on the coast of ancient Inatos in south central Crete, was a cult place from the Protopalatial period to the Roman era. Its peak was from the late 11th to the early 6th century BC, when the cult was focussed on the goddess Eileithyia, protectress …

Clay vessel with two figurines in a childbirth scene Read More »

Prinias, cemetery. 650 BC This funerary stele of the Archaic period from the cemetery of Prinias was found, together with many others, reused as building material set into the walls of a four-sided funerary building of much later date. Thisreuseofobjects and architectural members was a common practice in the past. In their original form, these …

Limestone funerary stele with woman spinning Read More »

Knossos Tekke, North Cemetery. 970 – 870 BC This bronze hemispherical bowl is a plain but elegant grave offering accompanying the burial of two women. It was excavated in the North Cemetery of Knossos and is dated to the 10th century BC. It is a particularly important find, because under the rim is an incised …

Bronze hemispherical bowl with Phoenician inscription Read More »

Amnisos. 525 – 480 BC At Amnisos, on the north coast of Central Crete, on the site of the earlier Minoan settlement, a sanctuary dedicated to Zeus Thenatas was founded in the 7th c. BC, as attested by inscriptions of the Hellenistic period. This imposing pair of limestone birds set on bases with three scrolls …

Sculptures from the Sanctuary of Zeus Thenatas Read More »

Palaikastro, Temple of Dictaean Zeus. 6th-4th c. BC (text of the 4th-3rd c. BC inscribed in the 3rd c. AD) The sanctuary and temple of Dictaean Zeus was founded on the ruins of the prehistoric city of Palaikastro in the early Historical period. Here was found the inscription with the so-called Hymn of the Curetes, …

Hymn of the Curetes inscription Read More »

Sanctuary of Hermes and Aphrodite, Syme Viannos. 690 – 670 BC The sanctuary of Syme in Viannos, set in a wooded landscape in the Dicte mountain range, was in continuous use for almost 2,500 years, from 2000 BC to the 7th century AD. From its foundation as an open-air sanctuary in Minoan times to the …

Bronze cut-out plaque Read More »