Madame Beast ( Greek: Ἡ Πότνια Θηρῶν ) is an epithet first mentioned by Homer ( Iliad 21. 470) and often used to describe female deities associated with animals [1] . The Mycenaean word po-ti-ni-ja , meaning mistress or mistress, is inherited by the classical ancient Greek. Related to other ind. patnī with the same meaning [2] .
It is assumed that Homer's reference to Potnia Theron refers to Artemis , and Walter Burkert describes this reference as “a well-established formula” [3] . It is known that a deity of the type of Artemis, the "Lady of the Beasts", existed in the prehistoric religion, and some scholars suggested a continuity between Artemis and the goddesses portrayed in the Minoan art, and " Potnia Theron became the general term for any woman associated with animals" [1] [4] .
Many of the images are a female version of the widespread ancient motive, “Lord of the Beasts,” depicting in the center a male figure holding two animals, one on each side. The oldest image was discovered in Chatal-Hyuk . Another example is in the Monte Rinaldo Archaeological Museum in Italy: a bas-relief depicting a goddess in a long dress holding two panthers with her hands [5] .
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 Fischer-Hansen, Tobias. From Artemis to Diana: the goddess of man and beast. - Museum Tusculanum Press, 2009 .-- P. 23. - ISBN 978-8763507882 .
- ↑ Chadwick, John. The Mycenaean world. - Cambridge University Press, 1976. - P. 92. - ISBN 978-0-521-29037-1 .
- ↑ Burkert, Walter. Greek Religion. - Harvard University Press, 1987. - P. 149. - ISBN 978-0-674-36281-9 .
- ↑ Roller, Lynn E. In search of god the mother: the cult of Anatolian Cybele. - University of California Press, 1999. - P. 139. - "indefinite figures such as the Potnia Theron." - ISBN 978-0-520-21024-0 .
- ↑ Terracotta, Il Museo Civico Archeologico del Santuario Ellenistico at Monte Rinaldo, Le Marche Italy (Monte Rinaldo Archaeological Museum)
Literature
- Neumann E. The Great Mother. Chapter XIV. Lady of the beasts.