Today, I’m starting a series called Minoan Mantinada of the Month, where I’ll share a Minoan-inspired mantinada in both Greek and English at the start of each month (alliteration semi-intended). I’ll implement the Cretan Greek dialect at times, but because I’m fairly rusty, that won’t always be the case. I figure it’s a unique way to get a glimpse of Minoan life that unites the ancient and modern Cretan cultures.
A mantinada (μαντινάδα: “morning song”) is a Cretan-style folk poem that’s usually recited with the backing of a lyra or laouto. It’s comprised of a rhyming couplet with two 15-syllable lines. However, I’ll be writing the English translation in 10-syllable lines to avoid overly long lines. And it’s important to know that the meaning may vary a bit due to translation limitations while also needing to adhere to a rhyme.
An Aspiring Sailor’s Dream
Original Greek Version:
Δελφίνια με συνοδεύουν και ο Νότος ευλογεί το μοναδικό μου όνειρο από μικρό παιδί:
να σύρω τα δυό μου πόδια στις ακτές της Αιγύπτου αν η Θεά το επιτρέψει, όπως τον μπαμπά μου.
Transliteration:
Delfínia me synodévoun kai o Nótos evlogeí to monadikó mou óneiro apó mikró paidí:
na sýro ta dyó mou pódia stis aktés tis Aigýptou an i Theá to epitrépsei, ópos ton babá mou.
English Translation:
Dolphins escort me and Notos (south wind) decrees my one and only childhood reverie:
for these two soles to tread on Egypt’s sand, if Goddess wills it, just as my dad had.
Note: This Cretan folk poem is about a Minoan sailor’s first time at sea on his first trade expedition who always dreamed of what Egypt would be like. He is so eager that it feels like both the sea creatures and wind are conspiring for him (and hopefully the Goddess too). He is honored to walk in his father’s footsteps and feels closer to him as a result.
To me, there really is no greater creative endeavor than breathing new life into masterpieces of the ancient world. Not too long ago, I came across a talented digital artist who depicts characters from the Ancient Mediterranean in a way that makes my jaw drop every time. Amongst Ancient Greek gods and heroes, I was most taken by Brittany’s (also known as artistfuly) Minoan-inspired pieces, especially as a Cretan Greek person. It’s amazing how she brings people from frescoes or figurines of antiquity to life!
I have permission to share some of her art on here, but to experience the full scope of her striking artwork, please visit (and follow) her Instagram page and consider supporting her on Ko-fi ❤️. And this should go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway: Don’t repost these works without credit under any circumstances!
There are about a dozen Minoan-inspired pieces so far, but here are a few of my absolute favorites (which were so difficult to pick because they’re clearly all stunning):
Cultivated on the island of Crete as early as the Middle Minoan Period (2,100 to 1,600 BCE), the saffron crocus (the precursor to Crocus cartwrightianus) has been an integral flower to the Minoans and Modern Cretans alike. It has been depicted in frescos (i.e. “Saffron Gatherers”) and ceramics, used in cosmetics and perfumes, utilized as a spice and medicinal, and was a prevalent colorant in general.
But before we dive any deeper, it’s important to note that saffron is derived from the saffron crocus itself. More specifically, the spice (saffron) consists of the reddish-orange threadlike structures of the flower called stigmas. Crocus sativus is actually the only Crocus species that yields saffron.
Key Traits of Saffron Crocus
The saffron crocus is related to the iris and is considered an autumn-blooming crocus (late September to early October). It is also characterized as a cormous perennial, meaning that it grows from a tuber/bulb like a tulip and returns year after year.
Crocus sativus can grow to be 30 centimeters high. As mentioned, it develops as a bulb underground which in turn produces leaves, bracts, bracteole, and the flowering stalk. Its blooms tend to be a deep purple and have six petals and three stigmas. Its leaves are rosulate (arranged in the form of a rosette; a cluster of grasslike leaves radiating from a central point).
With the flower only producing three stigmas, it’s safe to say it takes a large volume of flowers to yield a small amount of saffron (we’re talking up to 75,000 individual plants in order to produce one pound of saffron), thus making it the most valuable spice of the ancient and modern worlds. Harvesting was indeed labor-intensive but also ritualistic to the Minoans. In fact, it continues to be culturally significant in Greece, with non-mechanical saffron cultivation remaining a tradition throughout the country, especially in Crete.
The medicinal component of saffron stems from its concentration of potent carotenoids (antioxidants crocin and crocetin).
Saffron’s Striking Golden Yellow Shade
Saffron dye is vibrant yellow to orange. It is water-soluble with a high tinctorial strength, meaning its vivid color in small amounts goes a long way. This striking color comes from the carotenoid compound crocin, which makes it particularly resilient to sunlight.
In addition to frescoes, ceramics and makeup, the dye has been used in fabrics, and signified prestige and elegance.
A Flower Beyond a Mere Commodity
Saffron served as a cornstone of culture and identity for Minoan women in particular. In virtually every scene of saffron crocuses, solely women have been depicted. This leads scholars to posit that saffron was a gynecological remedy (among others) that was used by midwives and female healers alike. One such scene is featured in the “Adorants Fresco” (see above) that originally adorned the walls surrounding a ceremonial basin. Along the north wall, three women are shown headed toward a shrine on the east wall. Crocuses and saffron stigmas make appearances on the vibrant garments of all three: the older woman to the left walking towards the shrine wears a blue blouse decorated with crocus flowers and a garland of crocus stigmas around her neck and shoulders, the seated woman in the middle wears a belt embellished with crocus flowers as she nurses her wounded foot, and the youngest person on the right wears a yellow veil speckled with red and a crocus-adorned bodice. Beyond its medicinal properties, this scene also displays an initiatory rite from girlhood to womanhood.
The intersection between saffron and divinity can be seen in an early-20th-century discovery by Arthur Evans at Knossos. As the Temple Repositories were revealed, an array of ritualistic faience objects were discovered. Amongst them were faience crocuses that served as votive offerings and models of crocus-adorned garments.
Conclusion
The versatility of the saffron crocus cannot be emphasized enough. This multi-functional crop was valuable in all avenues of Minoan life, from economical to religious. Millennia later, and it is still one of the most sought-after spices known for its subtly sweet and earthy flavor with floral notes.
Minoan Magissa 