The Minoan Religion

Oxford First Ancient History

The Minoans had many gods and goddesses. However, the mother goddesses was the highest of them all. The Minoans did not have any large statues or temples dedicated to their gods, they had small shrines. To give an offering to the mother goddess, the Minoans had to first be anointed by a priestess in order to “wash off their sins”. Only then could you give your offering to the goddess. Many times an animal was sacrificed, yet other times, a golden ornament, sword, etc. could be brought and placed into a chest for the mother goddess to keep. In mythology, we often see that gods of war and battle are worshiped. Yet, no pictures of gods and goddesses partaking in war or even hunting have been found in the Minoan ruins, at all! You may be wondering, is there a Minoan afterlife? Archaeologists have found that on the sides of Minoan coffins, there were pictures of the dead person in the afterlife, walking with the mother goddess, receiving the offerings that his relatives and friends were giving him. The Minoan tombs were shaped like beehives, in these buildings the deceased man's friends would place gold jewelry, swords, and ornaments around the coffin in honor of the dead man. More importantly than anything, the Minoans loved and honored their gods, they were one of the most god-fearing nations. They truly believed in, and honored their gods.