HOLY HERAKLION – still at the Museum

I hope you have recovered for now we are to behold the magnificent artwork that was unearthed at the ‘House of the Frescoes” at the Palace of Knossos.  The panels depict rocky and riverside landscapes, rivulets, clumps of papyrus, reeds and other plants as well as birds and blue monkeys.  Dating from 1600-1500 BC – they certainly hold their colours.  As with previous frescoes, the original pieces are attached to the painting so that we can see what they would have looked like in their original state.

Below left is a mountainous landscape with plants and a monkey.  Below right is the “Blue Bird’ fresco, depicting a blue bird sitting on a rock among plants

The ‘Dolphin Fresco’ was part of a marine landscape.

Two dolphins are shown swimming amidst small fish.  The fresco decorated the wall or floor of a hall above the ‘Queen’s Megaron’ at the Palace of Knossos.

A Megaron was an architectural form consisting of an open porch, a vestibule, and a large hall with a central hearth and a throne. The Megaron was found in all Mycenaean palaces and was also built as part of houses.

There are so many frescoes but I have selected just a few – you can discover many more on the web. Below left is a female figure with Mediterranean features and vivid make up, named La Parisienne by Arthur Evans, her larger size and the sacral knot bunched up behind indicate that she was probably a leading priestess.

Centre is the ‘Prince of the Lilies’, he was part of a large mural composition in high relief. The figure, composed of three non-joining parts, is portrayed life-size, wearing a richly coloured kilt with a codpiece and belt and a majestic crown on his head with papyrus-lilies and peacock feathers. Thee are many interpretations of just who the Prince was – according to the excavator of Knossos, Arthur Evans, he was the “Ruler of Knossos” the “Priest-King”, a personification of religious and secular authority.

On the right is ‘The Cup Bearer’. This figure from the ‘Procession Fresco’ shows a youth with long black hair, naked torso and a richly decorated kilt carrying a large silver rhyton, a ceremonial vessel.  This is the only life size figure in a Minoan fresco whose head and torso are preserved.

Back to myth – below left is Theseus slaying the Minotaur. Click here for the story –

Centre and right are limestone sculptures from the Sanctuary of Zeus representing Hera (centre) as a falcon and Zeus (Right) as an eagle.  They were probably placed on top of a tall rectangular column in the sanctuary in order to be visible from a distance.  Mid 6th century BC.

Passing many more burial urns and clay items – these three catch my eye.

Above left is a figurine of a Siren.  A vase with a bird’s body, a small bull’s head and an appendage on the handle in the shape of the bust and head of a woman who is holding the bull’s head.  Certainly lots going on in this piece.  It may refer to the myth of Europa’s abduction by Zeus in the form of a bull (he certainly gets around) or simply a rich imagination of a Cretan artist.

Centre is a Sacred Tree with birds on its branches.  A representation recalling depictions on Minoan sarcophagi as well as the oriental theme of the ‘Tree of Life’ perhaps showing the garden of eternal rest of the dead,  10th-9th century BC.

Right – the ever present grave stele.  You should all remember that the deceased is usually shown sitting – in this depiction maybe a child reaches out for its departed mother? Very melancholy.

These terracotta figurines of Love and Cupid holding a ribbon or lyre in their raised hands. The little figures have traces of gilding and painting in blue and red. It probably comes from a laboratory in Alexandria.

These were a gift that accompanied a children’s burial along with other luxurious items 3rd-2nd century BC – how sad

Below is a relief lintel in the shape of a square beam made of Poros stone.

Two female statues sit opposite each other wearing a tall sacerdotal (related to or denoting a doctrine which ascribes sacrificial functions and spiritual or supernatural powers to ordained priests) head cover with incised decorative motifs and a kind of cape over the shoulders.

There are also decorations of panthers and deers.  Possibly 7th century BC.

We are now heading for the two sculpture rooms on the ground floor.  It houses sculptures that cover the period from the 7th to the 3rd century AD.  A series of portraits of Roman emperors and Roman copies of well-known statuette types of classical antiquity indicate the prosperity of the island during Roman times.

Below left is a marble relief depicting the goddess Demeter in the so called mourner type.  The goddess, clad in a cloak is shown sitting on a rock and holding the cornucopia, a symbol of abundance which you may know as the ‘Horn of Plenty’. 1st-2nd century AD

Centre is a small marble statue of Pan, god of shepherds and hunting and a follower of Dionysus. He is shown playing the syrinx – a musical instrument made of reed.  The ram that he lifts with his left arm, the hide on the shoulder and the base in the shape of a rocky landscape indicate the fertilizing qualities of the god.  From the Roman period – 2nd century AD.

Above right is everyone’s friend Poseidon – he is depicted bending forward and leaning his arm on his left thigh, where a folded garment lies.  Discovered at Knossos – 2nd century AD.

I love this group of statues of the gods Pluto and Persephone depicted as the Egyptian deities Sarapis and Isis. Pluto-Sarapis has the modius on his head, a utensil used for the measurement of grain. Persephone-Isis, with covered head, bears her symbols at the forehead, ie the crescent moon, the solar disk and the snake (uraeus). She is depicted holding in her right hand the sistrum and in the left probably the straps that kept the three headed dog Cerberus. The inclusion of Cerberus, guardian of the underworld, defines the two deities of the underworld despite their Egyptian symbols.  2nd century AD.

Below left is another one of our friends (we have made so many) – Hadrian.  He was the force behind many of the important buildings in Greece and Crete.  Here he is shown as a triumphant army commander with Athena standing above the she-wolf who fed Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome.

Centre is a copy of the huge statue of Athena Parthenos that was in the Parthenon in Athens.

Right is part of a group depicting the killing of Niobe’s children.  According to myth Niobe was horribly punished with the killing of her children by the twin gods Artemis and Apollo because she boasted about having 14 children while Leto the mother of the twin gods had only two.  This is a copy of an original work of the 4th century BC by either Scopas or Praxiteles.

We are coming to the end of our journey through this mind boggling museum and what better way to finish than to visit the famous and infamous emperors. I will not go into great details – I will just give you the names and you can surf the web yourselves.

Below left – Caracalla. Centre – Trajan.  Right is Marcus Aurelius

Below left – Caligula. Centre Tiberius. Right Caesar Augustus.

During my little audience with the emperors I notice signs everywhere requesting visitors not to disrespect the statues in any way.  This means don’t stand behind them and pull strange faces or strike idiotic poses.  Unfortunately there is a male and female who are doing just that.  Dressed like trash with voices to match, she poses – he takes photos.  The attendants ask them to stop and point out the signs.  After a minute or two – madam trash is at it again.  This time the attendants go up to both of them and escort them out.  Good riddance – shame there is no colosseum handy when you need one.

We have been wandering for a little over three hours and most probably still did not see everything.

Time for find a seat in a nice shady spot before heading back to the hotel.  This little shady area is outside the museum but still within the gates and fence.  Have a look at how many people are queued to go in – glad I am leaving.

Let’s go find a nice cool drink – maybe a scrumptious Iced Freddo – that will do for sure.

Once I rest and enjoy my coffee I will head back to the hotel and hopefully there will be good news about my journey to Knossos tomorrow.

Once this Odyssey is finished I know my feet will no longer speak to me – they are protesting more and more every day.