Prehistoric Aegean

Snake Goddess 

From Palace at Knossos

1600 B.C.E. (Greece)

 

In the Prehistoric Aegean period, temples or large monumental structures of Gods were not built, in contrast to the Mesopotamia and Egyptian times. What remains of the Prehistoric Aegean deity are rather small sculptures. 

The Snake Goddess is one of the few finds at the palace of Knossos (Crete) in Greece. It is a striking work of art made out of low-fired opaque glasslike silicate (faience). This piece of art shows the dominant Minoan features of naturalism and grace. The front portion of the figure is similar to Egyptian and Near Eastern statuary, but the costume (with its open bodice and flounced skirt) is distinctly Minoan. 

At first scholars thought this figurine to be one that represents a mortal attendant rather than one of deity. However, the exposed breasts suggests that this figurine stand in a long line of fertility images usually considered divinities. A conclusion was made that if the statuette represents a goddess, then it is yet another example of how human beings fashion their gods in their own image.   

The Knossos Goddess holds snakes in her hands and also supports a leopard-like feline on her head. This implied power over the animal world, also appropriate for a deity. As one of the Minoan divinities, she was closely associated with the snake cult. She is also called the Household Goddess due to her attribute of the snake, which is connected with welfare of the Minoan house. The snake is also a symbol of the underworld deity, so the Snake Goddess is related to chthonic aspects as well. I don't like the idea of a goddess standing for two oppositions, so as far as I'm concerned she was had nothing to do with the underworld, that was just a  misconception among the "fallen" people. 

Roman

 East Facade of the Ara Pacis 

Female Personification

Rome, Italy 13-9 BCE 

Panel from the East (Back) Facade of the Altar

The Ara Pacis Augustae, translated to mean "Altar of Augustan Peace" was commissioned by the Roman senate to be build in honor the established peace in the empire that came from Caesar Augustus's victories. The altar was meant to be a vision to civil Roman religion, envisioned as a Roman Goddess. 

Augustus was an advocate of the family life, and ultimate growth in his empire and kingdom. Children and the divine role of the family unit was brought into view a little more with Caesar Augustus's reign in the Roman Period. 

The Goddess in the paneled marble is Tellus/Italia, she being the goddess equivalent to "Mother Earth". Pax, the goddess of Peace, Ceres (goddess of grain), and even Venus have also been suggested to be the woman in the facade. Tellus/Italia is the popular choice from art historians and has the most identifiable symbols and surroundings. The seated Matron has two babes in her lap (Romulus & Remus- twins) epitomizing the fruits of the Pax Augusta. All around her the beautiful earth is in bloom, a setting so ideal and heavenly. On her left the fowls of the air are represented, on the right the animals of the sea, and near her feat the beasts of the earth- all different animal species living peacefully side by side. With the three Roman elements of Earth, Sky, and Water present it was to show her established peace over the whole world. 

The rear panel of a Roman altar dedicated to the divinity of this Goddess of Femininity said a lot about the culture of the Romans, it being very different from the usual male figures. The white marble softens the scene adding to the curvature of the lines. The drapery gives personifications of a refreshing breeze upon their bodies. The Roman detail of hair  and classical ideal beauty comes out within Tellus and the babes themselves. How wonderful it is to see such art work that establishes motherhood and procreation as a godly attainment. 

Ara Pacis Augustae
(Altar of Augustan Peace)

Ancient Greece

Peplos Kore

Acropolis (Athens, Greece)

530 BCE 

Unlike the Egyptian and Mesopotamia deities, the Greek gods and goddesses differed from human beings only in that they were immortal. It has been said that Greeks made their Gods into humans and their humans into Gods. Interesting how they found a relating connection between the two. I liked how they thought one could transcend into the other. 

After reading about this statue, I was drawn more to it. The sixth century BCE sculpture renders a soft female form that is much more natural than the other masculine, defined sculptures of men during the same time period. 

The woman of whom the statue was made was formally known as Peplos Kore. Recently scholars thought that she wore a "peplos"- simple, long, woolen belted garment. After careful examination of the statue, it was realized that she wears four different garments, one of which only goddesses wore. I liked the connection the Greek people made to sacred garments and their Gods, it's interesting to think if the garments had certain symbolism for them. The missing left hand of the goddess would have identified her by the attribute she held. I kind of like the missing identification because then anyone could have fit into her position. 

If there was one Goddess that I'd assume this was it would be either Hera (Juno) or Aphrodite (Venus). Hera was the wife of Zeus, the almighty God whom may have administered the purpose of the garment. Hera was also known as the goddess of marriage. The other fitting Goddess, Aphrodite was the daughter to the almighty Zeus. She was the goddess of love and beauty, of which the garments would only add to.