Details
The concept of a Mother Goddess has been omnipresent in studies of the religion of pre-Hellenic Aegean. In this study Cécile Boëlle hones in on the female elements in Mycenaean religion as revealed by the archives of the Linear B tablets. In particular she examines references to a divinity called Po-ti-ni-ja and asks whether this is the Mother Goddess. Evidence from Knossos, Mycenae, Thebes, Tiryns and Pylos points to a rich and varied pantheon of female elements and sees Po-ti-ni-ja being worshipped at a number of sanctuariesm with particular prominence at Pylos. Minoan influences on Mycenaean religion are also discussed. French text.