Evans, Arthur J.: The Palace of Minos: a comparative account of the successive stages of the early Cretan civilization as illustred by the discoveries at Knossos (Band 4,1): Emergence of outer western enceinte, with new illustrations, artistic and religious, of the Middle Minoan Phase (London, 1935)

Fio. 11. Girl Performer of Bull-ring.

degree—had to first undergo
a kind of sexual transforma-
tion, by divesting themselves
of all articles of feminine
dress except their head-gear
and necklace, and by adopt-
ing- the sporting costume of
the male performers, includ-
ing the universal exterior
sign of the masculine sex,
the Minoan version of the
'Libyan sheath', Fig. 12.1

So far as the existing
evidence goes, as supplied by
wall-paintings, small reliefs
on steatite rhytons, and the
gold cups and seals or their
impressions, these female
performers travestied in
men's attire do not appear in
connexion with other forms
of sacred sports, such as the
boxing and wrestling bouts.
On the other hand, they are
common to the bull-driving
and ' Cow-boy' feats, as seen
in the open country, equally
with those of Palace Circus.
A very clear example of a
girl performer, distinguished
both by her luxuriant tresses
and elaborately curled fringe
as well as by a slight
pectoral development, has
been already noticed in the
case of the Vapheio Cup A.
where she is seen in diffi-
culties between the horns of
a charging bull.2

1 This figure is taken from P- "/
M., ii, Pt. I, Suppl. PL XIII.
• Ibid., in. p. 182.