Time Line of Classical Greek Lit and Myth

[Danustouch]

Enjoy:
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http://web.uvic.ca/grs/bowman/myth/info/timeline.html

[mol]

Very cool timeline.

Do you have any references to the Neolithic age where "Possible worship of fertility mother-goddesses " went on. I just want to see what kind of evidence they have of this...really... ;)

[Danustouch]

LOL....ummmmmm...gee..can't recall coming across any of them......lol..just kidding.

Actually, right now I am reading a very interesting book by Ann Moura..called the History of Modern Witchcraft, which traces the roots of Modern Witchcraft back to the Indus Valley Cultures. You might want to pick up a copy of the book. It is EXTREMELY fascinating :)

[BrightStar]

Hi all!
When I took a class called "Archaic Greece" at OU,we studied some of the neolithic time.It was difficult to find what they believed,because the writings when one gets that far back are hard to decipher.There was a lot of stuff from Crete,but again we can't read the writings from way far back.Ancient Minoan is apparently rough to decipher.They had the symbol of the labrys,a double headed axe symbol,which many Dianic Witches use today.Lots of griffins.Lots of pictures on vases of boys doing back flips and such over the horns of bulls(Minotaur?).But as far as what the people actually believed,it was hard to say conclusively.
That being said,it's been 7-8 years since I took the class,and maybe new discoveries have been made.The class,in a way(along with other ancient histories),got me interested in studying as a Witch.Because the texts kept mentioning the Eleusinian mysteries,but never could say for sure what they were.
Sorry I don't have more info.
BrightStar

[Danustouch]

Mol, the book I mentioned above, i am still in the process of reading. Today I came across a section in it which might address your question. Allow me to preface it a bit, first. The author, Ann Moura, believes that the beginning of civilization and religion is not in the traditional places, such as Sumeria/Mesopotamia/Egypt which people think of.....but rather in the Indus valley (India, etc). Her idea is based on the ancient ruins of Mojenjo-daro (think that's the spelling). And the book traces the influences of two of the indus valley's cultures (the vedic, and the dravidic) as well as the other "Aryan" cultures upon modern religions. Anyway...she believes that the culture of the Indus Valley spread througout the world, including Europe. Including, Greece. This is one brief paragraph.

"We can trace european paganism to that of Crete, but here, too, the Minoan Civilization of Crete contains the elements of the Indus worship of Shiva, with bulls, snakes, phallic images, horns, circular domed funeral chambers built like those of the Indus, and Yoga positioning of the Dead (as is still done in India among the Shivaites). Even the famed Minatour of Crete is a creature of Shivan background, a guardian that can be seen in Shivan temples in India. The Achaen Aryans (my own insertion here, is that she is referring to the more patriarchal/monotheistic religions of the time), conquered Crete around 1600 BCE, took the Minoan Version of the religion of Shiva to the Peloponese Penninsula, and from this religious synthesis, came the basis for Mycenean culture.".

So basically..this alludes to the fact that the Mycenean Culture PRIOR to Aryan Religious influences, was more Goddess oriented. Since it is Ann Moura's assertion, throughout this book, that the Aryan nations (meaning the Judaic/Moslem/Christian religions, as well as other Patriarchal/monotheistic religions) were spread to the previous Shiva/Shakti worshippers of the indus valley cultures (the people of the Sind) During various invasions.

This is a very interesting book, though I am having a difficult time understanding some of her assertions, historically. The classic history that I was taught in school, varies greatly with the History of the world from THIS author's standpoint. So it is difficult to resolve the two. And it does focus on Shiva/Shakti, etc, as perhaps the MOST influential Gods/Goddesses througout history. In fact, it is this authors opinion, (from what I gather) that all other Gods and Goddesses are merely "Faces" or "Traits" of Shiva and Shakti. As much as I balk at it, at first, she provides compelling evidence. Anyway....I hope this is still on topic :)

[BrightStar]

Hi all!
I've heard about Moura's book on history.It sounds interesting.
Although,she is being heavily criticized by scholars over her methodology.They feel she has twisted the facts a bit so they jibe with her conclusions.Rather than look at facts and forming a conclusion.
That being said,the historical scholars could be wrong,they have been before.I haven't read the book,so I don't know.
Interesting stuff,just the same.
Peace and Love
BrightStar