Poetry

Minoan Mantinada of the Month / Μινωική Μαντινάδα του Μήνα #6: Minoan Winter

/ Rei Arkangelakis / 2 Comments

Minoan Winter

Original Greek Version

Άσπρα σαν τα σύννεφα ειν’τα βουνά εκιά πέρα.
Βροχή και καταβατικοί άνεμοι κάθε μέρα!

Δόξα την Θεά που η συγκομιδή ήταν άφθονη,
η ζεστασιά στα παλάτια και σπίτια μας μπόλικη.

Transliteration

Áspra san ta sýnnefa ein’ta vouná ekiá péra.
Vrohí kai katavatikoí ánemoi káthe méra!

Dóxa tin Theá pou i synkomidí ítan áfthoni,
i zestasiá sta palátia kai spítia mas bóliki.

English Version

The mountains in the distance, white like clouds.
Rain and katabatic winds all around!

Thank Goddess the harvest was bountiful!
The warmth in our palaces, plentiful.

Mount Ida during winter
Mount Ida during winter

Note: Similar to Modern Crete, Ancient Crete had short, mild winters (though winters on the the north end were a little harsher). To keep warm, they utilized centralized heating systems in their palaces and elite homes and implemented bioclimatic architectural designs. Besides that, simple fires, heavier clothing, and communal living spaces were commonplace. Katabatic winds are winds that blow down a slope, which are caused by gravity pulling dense, cold air downhill.

Minoan Mantinada of the Month / Μινωική Μαντινάδα του Μήνα #4: Minoan Autumn

/ Rei Arkangelakis / 2 Comments

Minoan Autumn

Original Greek Version

Η συγκομιδή ελιών και σταφυλιών ξεκίνησε!
Kόκκινο χρώμα από τα δέντρα εμφανίζεται.

Η καλοκαιρινές ακτίνες του Ήλιου δροσίζουν.
Στο πολύχρωμο τοπίο, oι δρόμοι ησυχάζουν.

Transliteration

I synkomidí elión kai stafylión xekínise!
Kókkino chróma apó ta déntra emfanízetai!

I kalokairinés aktínes tou Íliou drosízoun.
Sto polýhromo topío, oi drómoi isyházoun.

English Version

The olive and grape harvest has arrived!
Auburn hues of oaks and planes come alive!

Summer sun softens, gives way to brisk days.
Bustling streets halt in the changing landscape.

Literal Translation (sans proper syllable count)

The harvest of the olives and grapes has commenced!
Red color from the trees appears!

The summer rays of the Sun are cooling.
In the colorful landscape, the streets calm down.

Crete mountain in fall by fietzfotos

Note: While there’s a lack of records, modern trends of Cretan weather can inform the distant past. Autumn was and is a time for harvesting the island’s greatest commodities: olives and grapes. Wine was also made at this time. As the plane (platanos) and oak trees took on striking brownish-red and golden hues (but the deep green of cypress and olive trees remained), the Minoans, like present-day Cretans, prepared for the winter ahead. The seasonal shift definitely brought much reprieve on an island known for its summers of harsh heat and VERY dismal rain (if any).

Minoan Mantinada of the Month / Μινωική Μαντινάδα του Μήνα #3: A Bull-Leaper’s Desire

/ Rei Arkangelakis / 2 Comments 












A Bull-Leaper’s Desire





Original Greek Version





Ο πιο δυνατός και γρήγορος ταύρος δεν με τρομάζει
αλλά κρατώ την πνοή μου όταν αυτός κοιτάζει.

Περνά συχνά να με βλέπει στην ταυροκαθάψια.
Το ενδιαφέρον του παίζει πολύ σημασία! 

《Αγρίμι》 με φωνάζουν όλοι στο ντουνιά.
Λένε 《άφησε τούτο το σκοπό για να βρείς άντρα!》

Αλλά εγώ πιστεύω στο βάθος της καρδιάς μου, 
θα βρω αγάπη χωρίς να σβήσω τα όνειρα μου.





English Transliteration





O pio dynatós kai grígoros távros den me tromázei
allá krató tin pnoí mou ótan aftós koitázei.

Perná sychná na me vlépei stin tavrokathápsia.
To endiaféron tou paízei polý simasía!

《Agrími》 me fonázoun óloi sto ntouniá.
Léne 《áfise toúto to skopó gia na vreís ántra!》

Allá egó pistévo sto váthos tis kardiás mou, 
tha vro agápi chorís na svíso ta óneira mou.





English Translation





The strongest, swiftest bull doesn’t scare me,
but I hold my breath when he looks at me.

He comes by often to watch me bull-leap.
His interest makes my heart skip a beat.

“Wild one,” most of the villagefolk call me.
They say, “Quit this gig so you can marry!”

But I believe, deep in my heart of hearts,
I’ll find love without snuffing out my spark.












Note: This Cretan folk poem is about a Minoan bull-leaper who is seemingly fearless when it comes to bulls charging at her, but gets nervous the moment a romantic prospect looks her way. While Minoan society had egalitarian aspects (the fact that both men and women could be bull-leapers, for instance), there were still patriarchal elements and young women were expected to get married and start a family, as well as take on the family business. This starry-eyed bull-leaperess, however, plans on having both her love of bull-leaping and the love of her life someday. She refuses to give up one for the other!