Maternity, children, and ‘Mother Goddesses’ in Minoan iconography

Stephanie Lynn Budin Journal of Prehistoric Religion XXII (2010): 7-38.

Abstract

This article reconsiders both the presence and role of maternal, kourotrophic, and child-oriented iconography in the Minoan repertoire. Contrary to the received wisdom, the only kourotrophic iconography in Minoan Crete is not a Mycenaean-influenced figural group from Mavrospelio cemetery, but a strongly Egyptianizing plaque from Monastiraki. Furthermore, in spite of the death of kourotrophic iconography, images of pregnant/parturient females are both original to and common on the island during this period. Finally, the author considers the role of children in the Minoan repertoire , noting especially in what contexts they are prevalent. As the combined data show, the Minoans had no problems with depicting either maternity or childhood in their arts. As such, the lack of an indigenous kourotrophic iconography argues strongly against any notions of a distinctly ‘Mother’ goddess in the Minoan pantheon.