Most of the images above have a feminine and/or aquatic theme, which I find very interesting. In particular, I really like the image of the women from Knossos Palace. I really like the color palette of the painting. It gives off a very aquatic feel in the background. The women themselves appear to be generic; there isn't much detail given to their bodily form, but there is a lot of detail given to their attire and posture. While no identifiable features exist in any of them, their clothing and jewelry are fascinating. It seems the artist was trying to focus more on their attire than the women themselves. I would guess this is done with the intent of showing off the success and wealth of Knossos. Seeing this would make me think these are what the typical women from that city look like. Rich and affluent. I would like to know more about why most of their art is of the female form. I am curious why the focus is on women in particular and if women hold higher social status than men. Or if women had a separate hierarchy.

I have chosen image 8 for tonight's response, the last on display.

The image is said to be of a Mycenaean priest. The priest seems to be holding what looks like some herbs.

Initially what stood out to me was the firey color, looking closer I assumed they resembled herbs.

The expression on the face seems content and looking forward.

At the left, the image gives a glimpse of what might've been a column of an ancient Mycenaean building where a priest might've been on their way to prepare something (maybe a ritual), involving what they hold (the herbs?).

The author is more likely trying to depict the obvious a delighted priest walking the halls of an ancient building, holding something which I assume in the following image would show their purpose for the item.

I'm curious to know if such images exist but from the condition of the image provided, I'm unsure if the continuation might have survived, let alone be discovered. Otherwise, I'd be interested to see more imagery from this era to compare facial expressions, also I'd like to gain more knowledge on the purposes or symbolism for items they consider important.

• What detail in particular jumps out at you as you look at this images?

The most striking parts of this image are the animals and the open-breasted dress. The snakes bring connotations of suspicion and danger, as well as reminding me of their involvement in stealing Gilgamesh's plant. As a woman with snakes, I immediately think of Medusa, who uses her snakes to her advantage as a power so perhaps this woman is doing the same. The open-breasted dress has connotations of fertility and something not to be hidden as they are in today's society.

• What do you think the artist was trying to communicate?

I think the artist was trying to communicate the importance of fertility and the power of women. They were valued in society, playing crucial parts in governing, art, and economy.

• What would you like to find out more about?

I would like to know if this statue had any religious aspect to it, as I understand Minoans had a more low key view on this.

• Some detail in particular that jumps out at me as I look at this image is the " wall painting of dolphins from the palace of Knossos in create," it is how the painting looks so realistic and how beautiful it looks

• I think the artist is trying to communicate how dolphins are part of their culture and how sea animals are essential.

• Something that I would like to find out more about this paint is what was the purpose of making this paint on the wall.

The detail that jumped in particular to me is is the whale painting from the palace of Knossos. The dolphins , the fish and all of the sea animals looked realistic or as realistic as they could make them for the time. I think the artist was tryna to communicate the Minoan way of living. They're a sea traders and had a connection to the sea so it would make sense for their art to depict sea creatures. Mostly what I would want to find more about were their sea gods. they probably revered them.

The image that I found most interesting is the one depicting the Minoans bull-leaping in Knossos, Crete. The detail that jumps out the most in this depiction is the size of the bull compared to the man jumping. I think in portraying the bull in this way shows the cultural importance of the bull. The author might also have exaggerated the size of the bull is to show how strong and brave the Minoans are. I would like to learn more about the origins of bull-leaping and the other sports they created or engaged in.

What detail in particular jumps out at you as you look at these images?

The detail that jumps out at me the most in these images is the use of some bright colors that make the wall paintings and statues look more vivid and stand out more and it seems as if the artist paid a lot of attention to details in each of these paintings since they seem very detailed especially the painting the Minoans wall painting of dolphins.

What do you think the artist was trying to communicate?

I think that the artist was trying to show the world the everyday life of Minoans by showing us their priest and goddess and by even showing the dolphins from the palace of Knossos in Crete. Also I believe they were trying to show their connection with the ocean since there are paintings of dolphins and an octopus.

What would you like to find out more about?

I would like to find out more about the connection that the Minoans feel towards sea creatures.

• What detail in particular jumps out at you as you look at this images?

The image that stood out the most to me in particularly was because I love animals, the beautiful dolphins and how they painted different types of dolphins. The detailing of all the dolphins are really delicate.

• What do you think the artist was trying to communicate?

I think the artist is trying to communicate how the Minoans found respect for sea creatures like dolphins and its apart of their culture. It could also be that they used these as decorations on the floors or walls of their palaces because of the respect and love they have for the creature. It could also communicate that the Minoans had a good understanding of the sea creature.

• What would you like to find out more about?

I will like to find out what stood out to them the most about dolphins instead of any other sea creatures. Minoans identifying why are dolphins apart of their culture and how did it all start.

The detail that jumps out at me as I look at this image is the active and elastic mobility of the figures, especially this rather extreme shot of a human in the air mid sorts implementing an acrobatic leap over a bull. Where the bull is lighter in color than that of the rather reddish figure, there is likely some level of action and strength. Where action, artistry and the importance of bull leaping culture get outlined and appreciate. The author of this Minoan bull leaping fresco appears to be conveying the importance of a ritual or ceremonial practice which was imbedded in the Minoan Civilization.

I believe Minoan artists seemed to portray the importance of events or ritualistic events which were ingrained in the Minoan society. The bull image being dynamic and the acrobats in action bring a sense of liveliness, courage and possibly nurturing nature, and animal, and physical activities of a human from the Minoans themselves. Bulls, as symbols of strength and fertility, are in the center of action, while human figures, employing physical grace and courage, are flaunting art and greatness, probably skillfulness and even spirituality.

I would be particularly interested in the information regarding the cultural plays and religious aspects if bull-Leaping had a place in Minoan society. More particularly, if the bull-leaping was just a ceremony or a cultic act, or was there room for fun and sports as well, who took part in those bull-leap events, what were the functions of a bull in Minoan religion and mythology and how true to vales of action of this sport is represented in the fresco?

• What detail in particular jumps out at you as you look at this images?

The Image that jumped out to me is the "Octopus Flask" covered in marine life and its tentacles span over the rounded surface of the vase. The vase seems unrealistic but the appearance of the octopus is fluid and dynamic as it wraps around the surface and also reflects the Minoans' profound connection to the sea and their ability to integrate nature into their art.

• What do you think the artist was trying to communicate?

The artist is representing the Minoan's love for the sea and their economy was dependent on it. The octopus, with its long, expanding limbs, perhaps symbolizes the Minoans' vast influence in the Aegean area. Moreover, the lack of rigid symmetry in the design demonstrates the Minoan ambition towards flexibility and nature. 

• What would you like to find out more about?

I would like to find out more about why an octopus was represented by the Minoans when their multiple other monstrous sea creatures.

One detail in particular that I had found interesting was on the Minoan octopus flask. The actual image of the octopus was well done and I find it really impressive that it somehow has stayed intact till today. I believe that this flask shows just how skillful and detailed they were while also using their own style as they were one of the only civilizations at the time who drew like this.

I think the creator of the flask may have been trying to show the importance of the ocean to their civilization as well as possibly a divinity that the octopus might represent.

I would like to find more about why specifically an octopus was depicted as although they are very intelligent and are very unique creatures I am unaware of their historical significance.

The image that captivate me the most is Minoan statuette of a goddess holding snakes looking at it it’s me thinking about how strong gods were back then the image shows how the gods were powerful Indicating spiritual calm and authority holding snakes in both hands Representing balance, harmony, and control.you can see in that image the Divine power,connection and the loyalty I would like to know more…

The detail that jumps out immediately is the fluidity and dynamism of the octopus, whose tentacles seem to wrap around the curved surface of the flask. The naturalistic depiction of the sea creature and the way its tentacles fill the space with organic movement demonstrate the Minoans' deep connection to the sea and their ability to integrate nature into their art.

The artist seems to be communicating the importance of marine life to Minoan culture, which was heavily reliant on the sea for trade, sustenance, and exploration. The octopus, with its long, sprawling arms, could symbolize the far-reaching influence of the Minoans in the Aegean world. Moreover, the lack of rigid symmetry in the design reflects the Minoan preference for fluidity and naturalism, distinguishing them from the more rigid and geometric designs of their contemporaries, like the Mycenaeans.

What I'd like to find out more about is the significance of sea creatures in Minoan religious or symbolic contexts. Was the octopus simply a decorative motif, or did it hold a deeper, perhaps spiritual, meaning related to Minoan beliefs? Understanding this would provide a richer context for interpreting not only the octopus flask but Minoan art as a whole.

Something that jumps out to me is seeing the images of the dolphins, it crazy how much detail they used for that image and how accurate they were on the animal.

I think that artist is trying to communicate is that the palace of Knossos Crete was blessed by the dolphins so or they have a love for dolphins.

I wanna know more on what they liked about the dolphins to make a painting on wall about them. Like what is the purpose of this.

The image that I chose was that of the “Octupus Flask”. This image seems to depict some kind of Kraken at sea. The Kraken looks like it’s surrounded by countless other animals and marine life. What pops out at me is the fact that the Kraken takes up the entire Flask.

I think that by drawing the Kraken on the entire flask, the artist is trying to emphasize how dangerous or how important the Kraken is. I think the artist is trying to show us how experienced/how often the Aegeans are at sea. This is probably due to how often they did trade by sea.

I would like to know why the artist chose the Kraken as the animal for this piece? There are countless other sea animals that they couldve focused on that are more dangerous/crucial to know about at sea. So why this one?

As it seems to be the simplest art out of the majority to be seen, I feel like the color that the artist had use in order to have the women be seen more whether it had been seen in a specific light for that chosen color, or their aspect of hierarchy since women were more visible of the Minoan culture than men. The particular detail that intrigues me is are the facial features of the women and their choice of clothing, to which I thought they wwere bare at first but I had to zoom in and noticed it was just the wall's colors. I really like the beads and the choice of the hair that the artist decided to draw for these specific women, probably it was a portrait or a memory in time that they didn't want to forget.

I believe that the artist was trying to communicate of how important the sake of the female is to their civilization, as many of the other drawings are focusing on the likes of women. To their facial features, their strength, their bodies and other attributes attached to them; they are truly trying to show that the matriarch aspect ties in with them.

I would like to know who these women were? Were they priestesses? Are they royalty? Or are they just normal females that the artist decided to work on that day? With their hands being up, are they praying to a specific goddess or are their other aspects that they are trying to achieve at?

The fresco of bull-leading from Crete depicts a man who is seemingly trying to stay on a massive bull. Despite the relatively primitive art techniques, the Cretans were able to capture the physical vigor of a bull and the feebleness of a human trying to mount it very well through the posture of the man as he is trying to desperately stay on the bovine. Due to this, bulls in Cretan culture could represent strength or indomitable spirit. The Minotaur is an ancient Greek mythological beast with the head of a bull and body of a man. It is depicted as generally powerful with a towering stature, all while equipped with a deadly axe. In the tale of the Minotaur, his life is ended by a human hero named Theseus who then goes on to claim the title of king. Both in this illustration from Knossus and the story of the Minotaur, there is an ongoing theme of humans trying to conquer a bull, a natural symbol of unrelenting force. Trials of strength were likely popular during this time period, and Cretans would have probably valued brute strength very highly as a result.

• What detail in particular jumps out at you as you look at this images?

The detail jumps out at me as I look at this image of the “Minoan statuette of a goddess holding snakes” which is that woman holding snakes.

• What do you think the artist was trying to communicate? 

I think the artist was trying to communicate that woman aren’t scared of death because some snakes end a human life.

• What would you like to find out more about?

I want to find out more about why she is holding snakes in the first place.

• What detail in particular jumps out to you as you look at these images?

The goddess holding the two snakes stood out to me the most. I also noticed that she doesn’t have her breast covered.

• what do you think the author was trying to communicate?

I think the author was trying to emphasize wisdom and the symbol of fertility.

• What would you like to find out more about.

I would like to find out more in detail about what this meant for the Manoa people. Why snakes in specific were used to portray this message.

The Minoan statuette of a goddess holding snakes is striking for several reasons, but one detail that jumps out in particular is the goddess's exposed breasts. This feature immediately draws attention to her femininity and suggests themes related to fertility or motherhood, which were common in ancient religious imagery.

In my opinion the artist likely intended to communicate the divine power of women in Minoan culture, possibly emphasizing fertility, protection, or regeneration, as snakes often symbolize renewal due to their ability to shed their skin. The way the goddess firmly grasps the snakes suggests she has control over life, death, and nature.

I would like to find out more about the role of snake goddesses in Minoan religion and the broader religious and cultural context in which this figurine was created. It would also be interesting to explore how this image of female divinity fits into the larger Minoan pantheon and society.

Wall painting of dolphins from the palace of Knossos in Crete caught my attention at first sight. The picture made me realize that nobody actually depicted the sea world (like animals and plants) among all Mediterranean civilizations. Even though they lived on the coast, they didn’t give it enough attention.

It looks like Minoans were very knowledgeable about sea creatures. In the picture, you can see dolphins, tunas, probably cods, and sea urchins. There are no people, but the beauty and harmony of nature.

The water surrounded Minoans from all sides. The sea wasn’t only a part of their lifestyle, economy, and religion - the artist wanted to show the sea as an inspiration and symbol of movement and life.

I would like to find out why they depicted dolphins’ noses like this, did Minoans have any rituals associated with the sea, did they have something like “holy fish” that they didn’t eat?

• What detail in particular jumps out at you as you look at this images?

The picture that stood out to me the most was the first one with the bull. And the Minoan riding recklessly.

• What do you think the artist was trying to communicate?

Well we all know that bulls represent power and many times when people showcase bulls in flags or as a mascot of the army, or a logo on their brand. Is to represent a display of power and strength, and even thriving as the current market uses it. The minoan riding recklessly almost gives a sense of not undermining the bulls power, nor brushing it off. It would be more like the person knows the brute strength of the bull yet is not fazed and takes an more authoritative approach almost transcending the bull. Showing that its capable of subjection despite its raw brute strength. The artist trying to show that have dominion or tamed the bull showing human's authority and dominance over it.

• What would you like to find out more about?

I would love to find out, if they really did bull riding during that time. It definitely looks like bull riding as the guy is literally holding onto the bull in a careless effortless precision way.

The one that interested me the most was the Golden Mask. The reason this interested me most was how it was used for funerals and the thing that caught my eye the most was how the facial expression shows an almost serene expression after death. I believe the artist was trying to convey not only the peacefulness of death but also how it is seemingly made of gold to symbolize the importance of the subject or of the event that is the funeral. I am curious why they used his face for the funeral mask and something more symbolic of death like a god/goddess.