Ritual performance in Minoan Crete

Ritual performance in Minoan Crete
Ritual performance in Minoan Crete
Archaeological and Iconographic Evidence

Minoan Crete was a rich, varied and complex culture whose achievements in every aspect of life have been studied and are still being studied worldwide. In this course, we aim to further understand the significance of the Minoan Rituals and their relation to the rituals of modern civilizations. The ritual is a total of practices that have a spiritual and/or indicative character. It is also considered as the performance of an act with formality and solemnity. The content of this online course gives us the chance to meet a world in which gods, goddesses, monsters, magic and religious symbolism play a significant role. Think of how many similar rituals, with a formal substance, operate as milestones in our lives nowadays. All of the above will be analyzed further and in detail in this online course part of the Arts and Culture category. After successfully completing the lessons, the participant will receive a training certificate while acquiring a magnificent one time experience.

Post-doctoral Researcher
Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology

The programme is addressed not only to students of Archaeology but also to the broader public, especially those with a particular interest in prehistoric/protohistoric times in broader eastern Mediterranean area. 

In this programme we are going to address the theme of Minoan ritual performance as documented both by the archaeological and the iconographic evidence. In general, rites were and are still performed in specific loci, in specific sequence and probably in certain periods of time. Material culture remains provide adequate data for religious activities in outdoor spaces (open areas of tombs, peak sanctuaries) as well as indoors (caves, domestic and palatial shrines). Iconography, as for instance frescoes, seals and sealings, clay models, stone relief vases and other, enriches our information on what has been characterized as religious or ritual actions. Following a set of criteria one may proceed to a categorization of the Minoan rites: sacrifice, baetylic, costuming, flower, initiation rites and other. However, as the study of Minoan Crete continues, the pictorial evidence proves the complexity of the problem as a whole. 

 

Lesson 1: Introduction- Archaeological and Iconographic evidence (Sacrifice Ritual)

Firstly, we make an intro to  the theme of Minoan ritual performance as documented both by the archaeological and the iconographic evidence and then we continue with empasis on Sacrifice rituals.

Lesson 2: Iconographic Evidence (Baetylic - Robe Rituals)

Here we are going to address the theme of Minoan ritual performance as documented by iconographic evidence with emphasis on Baetylic and Robe Rituals.
 
Lesson 3: Iconographic Evidence (Flower Ritual -Initiation Rites)


In this lesson we are going to address the theme of Minoan ritual performance as documented by iconographic evidence with emphasis on Flower Ritual and Initiation Rites.

Lesson 4: Iconographic Evidence (Dance Ritual- Procession- Music)

Finally, we are going to address the theme of Minoan ritual performance as documented by iconographic evidence with emphasis on Dance Ritual, Procession and Music.

 

The  assessment  methods will be based on  a mixture of open and closed type questions. 

Online and distance training learning at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens offers a new way of combining innovative learning and training techniques with interaction with your tutor and fellow trainees from around the world.

The e-learning course is implemented via a user-friendly educational platform adjusted to the Distance Learning Principles. Courses are structured as weekly online meetings; interaction with the course tutor and other trainees takes place in a digital learning environment. The courses are designed to fit around your schedule; you access the course whenever it is convenient for you, however within the given deadlines.

The whole world becomes your classroom as e-learning can be done on laptops, tablets and phones as a very mobile method. Learning can be done on the train, on a plane or even during your trip to Greece!

The educational platform is a portal that offers access to electronic educational material based on modern distance learning technologies. The computer based nature of training means new technology is being introduced all the time to help trainees engage and learn in a tailored way that will meet their needs. E-learners have access to the educational platform with their personal code number in order to browse all relevant training material and interact with their instructors.

Moreover, an online communication system through own personal e-mail account is available in order to make the process easier and more interactive. Trainees can contact directly their tutors or the administration office of the course and share any concerns or anxieties related to the course in order to make the most of their experience.

Every week e-learners are provided with the relevant material, delivered either in the form of video-lectures, text notes and relevant presentations or as a combination of them. The educational material of the course is uploaded gradually, per educational unit. During the course, important info for the smooth conduct of the educational process, such as timetables for the submission of the exercises are announced on the Announcement section of the platform.

For successful completion of the course the e-learner should have fulfill her/his academic obligations, meaning should have submitted all corresponding assessment exercises and have achieved at least an average of 50% grade in the corresponding tests for each module. The score scale ranges from 0 to 100%. Finally, if the total score on one or more lessons of the course does not exceed 50%, trainees can ask for reassessment.

During the course trainees will be attending a training experience designed by academics and lecturers from the National University of Athens as well as from other Universities, Research Institutes and Cultural organizations around Greece.

Interactivity, flexibility and our long tradition guarantee that learning with us offers a successful and rewarding experience. Finally, access to a large variety of material and online resources available in each unit aims to excite your curiosity and guide you in exploring further your favourite topic. Part of the online material can be downloaded providing the chance to quickly refresh your memory after the completion of the course.