Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-wzw2p Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-05-21T23:26:43.457Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Double and Multiple Representations in Greek Art and Religious Thought

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Theodora Hadzisteliou Price
Theodora Hadzisteliou Price
Affiliation:
University of Chicago
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Extract

Greek theology and its canonical iconography have not been studied nearly as much as the Byzantine, although the religious character of pagan art is no less pronounced. When it is studied it is mostly in the representations on the vases. Sculpture, however, in particular terra-cotta and ivory figurines and plaques, and votive offerings in sanctuaries, offers a wide scope for such a study. Greek piety created some standard forms of votive offerings such as the crouching child, the protome, male or female, the seated or standing woman, sometimes exactly identifiable from the attributes.

A standard type of votive offering, perhaps not as common as the single figure, is that of reliefs, statuettes and statues representing two, or sometimes more, female figures, identical or slightly differentiated, traditionally explained as Demeter and Kore or the Nymphs.

The topic has been treated variously since the early nineteenth century, in isolated examples, or regional and other groups. There is no treatment of it in its entirety in the Greek world, and not much progress has been made in the subject since the basic nineteenth-century treatises. Moreover, in the above publications, never cited in more recent works, one finds some very sound approaches and knowledge of the textual evidence. However, in these early publications the material is mostly Classical, or Hellenistic and Roman. In some of the cases of double figures discussed in them, the duplication, rather than ‘doubleness’, is more apparent than real because the attributes are repeated and are those of the unique war goddess Athena, or the equally unique Tyche or Fortuna. However, the case is not always so, especially in archaic or earlier times, and it gets even more complicated when the figures are not two but three and sometimes more, even up to nine. The repeating of figures, often under one mantle, as diad, triad, etc., could be explained as multiplication of a figure by the folk-mind (mythology), followed by the Greek artists, thus creating the Eileithyiai, Horai, Charites, Muses, etc. Modern scholars have insisted on trying to identify in all of them Demeter and Kore, the female diad par excellence.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Hellenic Studies , Volume 91 , November 1971 , pp. 48 - 69
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies 1971

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

The following abbreviations have been adopted: Gerhard = E. Gerhard, Antike Bildwerke (Berlin 1828)

Guarducci = M. Guarducci, ‘Due o più donne sotto un solo manto in una serie di vasi greci arcaici’ in AM liii(1928) 52–65.

Korres = G. Korres, ‘Double Goddesses in Crete and Mycenaean Greece (Double or Triple Goddesses in the service of the Divine Infant)’ (in Greek) in Proceedings of the Second Cretological Congress ii 107–18.

Metzger = H. Metzger, Recherches sur l'imagerie athénienne (Paris 1965)

Mollard-Besques = S. Mollard-Besques, Catalogue raisonné des figurines et reliefs i (1954) and ii (1963)

Mylonas = K. D. Mylonas, ‘Anathematikòn Anáglyphon ex Attikîs’ in AE 1890, 1 ff.

Ohnefalsch-Richter = M. Ohnefalsch-Richter, kypros, the Bible and Homer (Berlin 1896).

Rizza and Scrinari = J. Rizza and V. Santa Maria Scrinari, Il Santuario sull' Acropoli di Gortina i (1968).

Schrader = H. Schrader, ‘Die Ausgrabungen am Westabhange der Akropolis. III. Funde im Gebiete des Dionysion’ in AM xxi (1896) 265–86.

Speier = H. Speier, RM xlvii (1932) 1–94.

1 Schefold, K., Griechische Kunst als religiöses Phänomen (Hamburg 1959).Google Scholar

2 Metzger, passim.

3 Gerhard; Mylonas, , AE 1883, 252 f.Google Scholar; Mylonas, I ff.; Schrader, 265–286.

4 Mylonas, figs. I–3; Gerhard, pl. iv 2–4 and 6.

5 Guarducci, 52–65.

6 Guarducci, 58.

7 CVA British Museum 3(4) III He pl. 29(149)Id.

8 Guarducci, fig. 1, pl. xix 1, 2, 4.

9 Korres, 107–118, where further bibl. cf. Amendment by H. Mühlenstein on pp. 118–119. From the bibliography in the above study one should omit the second half of note 7, p. 114, and the second half of note 6, p. 117 as universally recognized forgeries; for the latter cf. Becatti, G., Orificerie Antiche (Rome 1955) pl. 37, no. 217.Google Scholar

10 cf. note 12, the ivory from Mycenae. The readings of names such as Demeter in the Linear B tablets (Stella, L. A., La civiltà micenea nei documenti contemporanei [1965] 288, 241Google Scholar) are not at all beyond doubt; moreover in some cases they could be names of mortals. For confusions arising from such dubious readings see Mühlenstein, op. cit. See further discussion on the two Mycenaean Goddesses (negative) in Minos x, 1 ( 1969) 78 ff. by S. Hillier, ‘Wanasoi tonoeketerijo’, where Wanasoi can be explained either as ‘to the Goddesses’ or as a locality, ‘in the Palace’. cf. Gérard-Rousseau, M., Les mentions religieuses dans les tablettes mycéniennes (Incunabula Graeca xxix, [Rome] 224 ff.Google Scholar

11 Herakleion Museum, Room A, Case 8: Marinatos, Sp., Crete and Mycenae (1959) fig. 11.Google Scholar

12 Wace-French, E. B., Mycenaean Terracotta Figurines (unpublished Dissertation, London 1961Google Scholar; copy in British School at Athens), 278 ff., ‘Triple Groups’, where further bibl.; Picard, Ch. in RA 6th series xixxx (1942–1943) 85Google Scholar, fig. 2; Mylonas, G. E., in Studies Goldman (1956) 120, pl. xv 9Google Scholar; Marinatos, Sp., AA 1933, 303Google Scholar, fig. 15, with child. Palmer, L. R., Mycenaeans and Minoans (London 1965) 135.Google Scholar

13 Iakovidis, Sp., ‘A Mycenean Mourning Custom’ in AJA lxx (1966) 45 fGoogle Scholar. Mylonas, G. E., Epistem. Epeteris Philos. Sch. Panepist. Athinon (1954–1955) 139–152.Google Scholar

14 ASAA n.s. i–ii (1939–40) 245, fig. 1; Wace, H., Ivories from Mycenae, no. 1: The Ivory Trio (Athens 1961).Google Scholar

15 Korres, 113 n 1.

16 Alexiou, St., ‘The Goddess with the Raised Arms’ (in Greek) in Kretika Chronika xii (1958) 179–299Google Scholar, cf. p. 219, pl. IA, figs. 3–4.

17 Mylonas, G. E., Mycenae and the Mycenean Age (Princeton 1966) Ring 2, fig. 123Google Scholar, three women, one raising her hand to her forehead; Ring 3, fig. 124, two women with one arm raised.

18 Mylonas, loc. cit. 156 f. fig. 131.

19 Mylonas, loc. cit., Ring 15, fig. 123, with two Goddesses or worshippers(?).

20 Thimme, J. ‘Die religiöse Bedeutung der Kykladenidole’ in AK viii (1965) 72 ff., esp. p. 75.Google Scholar

21 Korres, 117 nn. 1–2.

22 Diodorus iv 79: Also Plutarch Marcellus 20 3:

23 Ciaceri, E., Culti e Miti nella Storia di Antica Sicilia (Cantania 1911)Google Scholar; Faure, P., Fonctions des Cavernes Crétoises (1965) 110.Google Scholar

24 AE 1909, 244 f., 250, pl. 8. Ervin, in Platon xi (1959) 146–59.Google Scholar

24a Maass, E., Hermes xxv (1890) 405 f. n. 2.Google Scholar

25 Ar., V. 378; Th. 82; Sylloge 3 1031; E. Ph. 683: …; cf. also Type II 3a. Stiglitz, R., Die Grossen Göttinnen Arkadiens. Der Kultname Μεγάλαι Θεαί und seine Grundlagen (Österr. Archäol. Inst. Wein, Sonderschrift xv [1967]).Google Scholar

26 Boardman, J., ‘The Khaniale Tekke Tombs II’ in BSA lxii (1967) 61 where bibl.Google Scholar

27 R. M. Dawkins, Orthia, pl. xcv; cf. also the terracotta plaque from Sparta, BSA xiv (1907–8) 77, fig. 7c.

28 Poulsen, , Orient und Frühgr. Kunst (Berlin 1912) figs. 191–2Google Scholar; Dawkins, , Orthia, 233Google Scholar, pls. xcvi, 1; cxxiv; cxxv, 2;cl.

29 BSA xv (1908–9) 21 f; BSA xxx (1929) 50–51.

30 Richter, G., Archaic Greek Art (1949) fig. 201.Google Scholar

31 Blümel, C., Die archaisch griechischen Skulpturen der Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin (Berlin 1963) 54, pls. 145–47.Google Scholar

32 Blümel, op. cit., 49, pl. 126.

33 de Franciscis, A., ‘Un frammento di Arula de Locri’ in Atti e Mem. Soc. M. Grecia n.s.ii (1958) 37–49Google Scholar, pl. xi. This reference I owe to Prof. G. Becatti.

34 Séchan, Louis, Les Grandes Divinités de la Grèce (Paris 1966) pl. 15.Google Scholar

35 Ohnefalsch-Richter, pl. 158. 4.

36 Séchan, op. cit., 91–97, esp. 94 below.

37 Brock, , Fortetsa, pls. 168–169Google Scholar; Boardman, J., The Greeks Overseas (1964) 91, fig. 19 bGoogle Scholar; Korres, 118. Dated by Boardman, J., BSA lxii (1967) 59–60Google Scholar, in the first half of the eighth century on the contextual evidence (now lost) of a Geometric pithos in which it was found; it is possible however that the pithos was dated too early by the excavators, or used some time after its production.

38 Higgins, R. A., BMC Terracottas, i pl. 130 no. 897Google Scholar; Perachora i 201, pl. 89.19–20.

39 In Roman times there was a cult of Junones: Deonna, W., Deux études de symbolisme religieux (1955)Google Scholar; I do not know if the Greek equivalent form Ἡραι existed; however Hera as Virgin and Teleia was worshipped in Samos and other sanctuaries.

40 Higgins, R. A., BMC Terracottas i 165, pl. 79, no. 610.Google Scholar

41 Salviat, F., BCH lxxxii (1958) 248 f.Google Scholar

42 Pouilloux, J., BCH lxxv (1951) 90 f.CrossRefGoogle Scholar

43 Salviat, loc. cit., 253 f.

44 cf. Type II 2b.

45 cf. Type II 2a.

46 Paus, ix 16. 3: Ourania, Pandemos, Averter, and viii 32. 1.

47 Nilsson, M. P., Gesch. Gr. Rel. ii 2, 676.Google Scholar

48 Cook, A. B., Zeus, i 396 f.Google Scholar

49 Nilsson, M. P., Archiv für Religionswiss. xxxii (1935) 87, n. 5Google Scholar; Opuscula Selecta ii 552 where further bibl.

50 Higgins, , BMC Terracottas i 87Google Scholar, under no. 231, below.

51 Metzger, 22 f., where also other representations more differentiated: Demeter-Kore standing.

52 Boll. d' Arte iii (1909) 21 f.

53 Froehner, W., Cat. du Musée de Marseilles (1897)Google Scholar no. 1225 (inv. no. 2725) from Magna Graecia; Gerhard, pl. II 2 (E. Berlin Staatl. Mus.), from Praeneste.

54 cf. n. 39.

55 Deonna, , Deux études de symbolisme religieux (1955)Google Scholar

56 Nilsson, M. P., Gesch. Gr. Rel. i (1967) 423Google Scholar, where further bibl.

57 Baur, , Eileithyia (2nd ed.Chicago 1901) 14, 19 f.Google Scholar

58 Mylonas, 6; cf. nn. 3 and 4.

59 Mylonas, 6.

60 For the above and extensive bibl., cf. Mylonas and Gerhard.

61 Mylonas, 3.

62 Schrader, 281 where figure.

63 Nilsson, Gesch. Gr. Rel. i pl. 19.

64 Schrader, 276, figure on p. 277; also J. Harrison, Prolegomena to Greek Religion 3 fig. 73.

65 Mylonas, figs. 3, 5.

66 Mylonas, pl. 1; not as late as mid fifth, as far as one can judge from the drawing; notice the early zig-zag double folds; the dress is not the peplos but still the chiton with himation hanging from one shoulder.

67 Mylonas, figs. 1–2.

68 AM xliii (1918) 157, fig. 2, i.

69 Mylonas, l f., fig. 6; Schrader, 280, where figure; Gerhard, pl. iii 2; also AZ xxxix (1881) 393: double Cybele from the Metroon (?) of Piraeus.

70 Deubner, , Attische Feste 217.Google Scholar

71 For their iconography on vases, cf. Greifenhagen, A., Griechische Eroten (1957).CrossRefGoogle Scholar

72 Salviat, F., ‘Religion populaire à timbres amphoriques’ in BCH lxxxviii (1964) 492–5Google Scholar. Wycherley, R. E., Athenian Agora iii 65, 149, 150.Google Scholar

73 BCH lxxxvii (1963) 371, fig. 68; Karageorgis, , ‘Relations of Cyprus and Crete during the eleventh century B.C.’ (in Greek) in the Proceedings of the 2nd Cretological Congress ii 181Google Scholar, pl. ΛΔ′.

74 Gerhard, pl. iv.

75 Nilsson, , Gesch. Gr. Rel. i 424 ff.Google Scholar

76 Dörig, J., ‘Lysippe und Iphianassa’ in AM lxxvii (1962) 79Google Scholar, where bibl.

77 Dörig, loc. cit., 72–91.

78 Poulsen, , Orient und frühgr. Kunst 99, figs. 102, 103Google Scholar; Hogarth, , Exc. at Ephesos (1908) pl. xxx 9.Google Scholar

79 Olynthus xiv pl. 89 nos. 268–270; Hadzisteliou Price, T., ‘The Crouching Children and the Temple Boys’ in BSA lxiv (1969)Google Scholar Type II 1a iii; one example comes from a tomb.

80 From the James Parmelee Collection, inv. no. 40. 624, xxvith Dynasty or later, Room 11, Case 6.

81 Černý, J., Ancient Egyptian Religion (1952) 35, 84, esp. p. 106.Google Scholar

82 Exhibited in Heraklion Museum; unpublished. Most interesting for this study is a small faience statuette depicting two Goddesses seated side by side found together with a statuette of a suckling Isis, cf. discussion by T. Hadzisteliou Price in The Greek Kourotrophos, Chapter: Crete (forthcoming).

83 Rizza and Scrinari, 251 f.

84 cf. note 47.

85 This article started as an Appendix to a doctoral thesis on the Greek Kourotrophos, Oxford 1965. I am grateful to the Skillitzi Foundation in memory of Eleutherios and Helena Venizelos who supported my studies with a generous scholarship; to the Meyerstein Award, Oxford, which twice enabled me to travel to Europe; to my teachers, Professor C. M. Robertson and Mr. John Boardman; to the College Division of the University of Chicago for helping me financially with photographs and typing; for photographs and permission to publish, I am grateful to Professor N. Platon, Dr St. Alexiou, Professor Sp. Marinatos, Professor G. Bernabò-Brea, Dr F. Benoit, the National Museum of Athens, the Department of Classical Antiquities of the Louvre, the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, the Trustees of the British Museum, the Classical Department of Berlin, Staatliche Museen, the Cleveland Art Museum, the American Academy in Rome, the British School of Archaeology in Athens and the University of Chicago, Department of Classics.