![]() ![]() In the context of the mythical Attic king Theseus, the labyrinth of Greek mythology is frequently associated with the Minoan palace of Knossos. The labrys, or pelekys, is the double axe Zeus uses to invoke storm and, the relatively modern Greek word for lightning is "star-axe" ( ἀστροπελέκι astropeleki) The worship of the double axe was kept up in the Greek island of Tenedos and in several cities in the south-west of Asia Minor, and it appears in later historical times in the cult of the thunder god of Asia Minor (Zeus Labrayndeus). Similarly, Zeus throws his thunderbolt to bring storm. Both are depicted holding a triple thunderbolt in one hand and a double axe in the other hand. (p 162) The double-axe is associated with the Hurrian god of sky and storm Teshub. Similar symbols have been found on plates of Linear pottery culture in Romania. In Labraunda of Caria the double-axe accompanies the storm-god Zeus Labraundos. In the Near East and other parts of the region, eventually, axes of this sort often are wielded by male divinities and appear to become symbols of the thunderbolt, a symbol often found associated with the axe symbol. BCE, depicts a large-size naked man wielding a double axe. A fresco from the Thracian tomb near Aleksandrovo in south-east Bulgaria, dated to c. The double axe appears on coins from Thrace and is believed to be the symbol of the kings of the Odrysae, who believed they could trace their lineage to Zalmoxis. It is argued that in ancient Thrace the double axe was an attribute of Zalmoxis. The double axe appears to have carried important symbolism the ancient Thracian Odrysian kingdom related to the Thracian religion and to the royal power. Minoan double axes have also recently been found in the prehistoric town of Akrotiri ( Santorini Island) along with other objects of apparent religious significance. (p 161) Small versions were used as votive offerings and have been found in considerable numbers the Arkalochori Axe is a famous example. It seems that it was the symbol of the arche of the creation (Mater-arche). In Crete the double axe only accompanies female goddesses, never male gods. In ancient Crete, the double axe was an important sacred symbol of the Minoan religion. Minoan double axe ĭrawing of a golden ring found at Mycenae depicting cult of the seated poppy goddess, in which the labrys is central and prominent "on Carian coins, indeed of quite late date, the labrys, set up on its long pillar-like handle, with two dependent fillets, has much the appearance of a cult image". "It seems natural to interpret names of Carian sanctuaries such as Labranda in the most literal sense as the place of the sacred labrys, which was the Lydian (or Carian) name for the Greek πέλεκυς, or double-edged axe" (p 161) In Labraunda in Caria, as well as in the coinage of the Hecatomnid rulers of Caria, the double axe accompanies the storm god Zeus Labraundos. Ī link has also been posited with the double axe symbols at Çatalhöyük, dating to the Neolithic age. According to some modern scholars it could read * δαφυρίνθοιο (* daphyrinthoio), or something similar, and hence be without a certain link with either the λάβρυς or the labyrinth. The conventional reading is λαβυρίνθοιο πότνια ( labyrinthoio potnia 'mistress of the labyrinth'). The Egyptian labyrinth near Lake Moeris is described by Herodotus and Strabo. It is also possible that the word labyrinth is derived from the Egyptian, meaning: "the temple at the entrance of the lake”. Beekes regards the relation of labyrinth with labrys as speculative, and rather proposes a relation with laura ( λαύρα), 'narrow street', or to the Carian theonym Dabraundos ( Δαβραυνδος). In Crete the "double axe" is not a weapon, and it always accompanies female goddesses, not male gods. Her name was said to be derived from the region around Delphi. In Roman times at Patrai and Messene, a goddess Laphria was worshipped, commonly identified with Artemis. A priestly corporation in Delphi was named Labyades the original name was probably Labryades, servants of the double axe. Many scholars including Arthur Evans assert that the word labyrinth is derived from labrys and thus implies 'house of the double axe'. The plural of labrys is labryes ( λάβρυες). In Greek it was called πέλεκυς ( pélekus). Labrys ( Greek: λάβρυς, romanized: lábrus) is, according to Plutarch ( Quaestiones Graecae 2.302a), the Lydian word for the double-bitted axe. Coinage of Idrieus of Caria, Obv: Head of Apollo, wearing laurel wreath, drapery at neck Rev: legend ΙΔΡΙΕΩΣ ("IDRIEOS"), Zeus Labraundos standing with labrys in his right hand, c. ![]()
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