DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.8944#0053
MYCENAEAN TREE AND PILLAR CULT.
151
cylinder are prolonged down the lower member of the column. In
Fig. 21), 3 the pillar becomes quite symmetrical in its duality with an
intervening slab to divide its two portions. Both of these Cypro-Mycenaean
pillars are surmounted by a halo of rays, the original suggestion of which
has been already noted. The radiation in itself connects them with divinities
of light, a guardian griffin indeed sits before the pillar on the cylinder from
which Fig. 29, 2 is taken. In some cases the double pillar is surmounted by
a double halo of rays1 emphasising the dual aspect of the divinity.
The Egyptian religious element in some of these Cypriote double
columns is clear. But there is sufficient evidence to show that there was
also an oriental class of dual pillars which may have influenced the cult
forms of the island at an even earlier period. There occurs, for instance, a
type consisting of double cones in reversed positions, their apexes separated
by a cross-piece,2 which is also found on Babylonian cylinders. Another
oriental type of divided pillar must be regarded as in part at least of
Egyptian origin. This is the staff or small pillar with a globular break
in the middle of the stem and two uraeus snakes curving up on either
side which so frequently occurs in the hands of Istar on late Babylonian
cylinders 3 (Fig. 29, 4). The uraeiare here a certain indication of borrowing
from the Egyptian side. Their symmetrical grouping recalls the snakes of
the Hathoric staff or pillar already cited and forms a recurring feature in
the derivative Cypriote types. The pillar stem of the Assyrian sacred tree
frequently shows the same central division. But the Assyrian tree itself
is in its origin a palinette column belonging to the same family as the
eighteenth Dynasty Egyptian, and the earlier Cypro-Mycenaean class.
The pillar image of divinity as will be shown in connexion with the
column in the Lions' Gate scheme has this distinct advantage over the
anthropomorphic type that the same pillar can represent a divinity either
in a male or female aspect or can become the material resting place of either
member of a divine pair. Still more obvious facilities were offered by divided
columns like the above for the needs of a dual cult. It gave easy expression
to the Semitic religious conception of bi-sexual godhead. So too in Cyprus
it might well convey the idea expressed by the alternative impersonation
of Aphrodite and Aphroditos. The aniconic religion at least obviated
such grotesque creations of the later cult as the 'bearded Aphrodite.'
1 A Cypro-Mycenaean cylinder in the
Ashmolean Museum.
- Dr. Ohnefalseh-Riehter, Ki/jiron, &c. p.
182, lias perhaps rightly recognised this type
in the pairs of double axe-like figures grouped
on either side of a serpent on a Cypriote
cylinder (Cesnola, Salami ilia, p. 128. Fig.
118). He uses the word ' Charamanim' in
connection with these doable cones.
' C. Menant, Olyptique Orientate, i. p. iii.
Fig. 99, p. 165, Fig. 102; Cat. Dt Glercq.
PI. XVI. Fig. 160. This class of haematite
cylinders is common in Syria andCilioia, anda
good example from Cyprus exists in the
British Museum. The double stall' with the
inxtti also occurs in a separate form between
two figures of Hea-Bani contending with a
bull, bearing the names of the Sun Cod Samas
and apparently his consort (Menant, Cat. JJk
Glercq. i. PL VIII. Fig. 68 and p. 57), where,
however, the comparison with the symbol ot
Istar is missed, and the object described as a
' candelabrum.'
151
cylinder are prolonged down the lower member of the column. In
Fig. 21), 3 the pillar becomes quite symmetrical in its duality with an
intervening slab to divide its two portions. Both of these Cypro-Mycenaean
pillars are surmounted by a halo of rays, the original suggestion of which
has been already noted. The radiation in itself connects them with divinities
of light, a guardian griffin indeed sits before the pillar on the cylinder from
which Fig. 29, 2 is taken. In some cases the double pillar is surmounted by
a double halo of rays1 emphasising the dual aspect of the divinity.
The Egyptian religious element in some of these Cypriote double
columns is clear. But there is sufficient evidence to show that there was
also an oriental class of dual pillars which may have influenced the cult
forms of the island at an even earlier period. There occurs, for instance, a
type consisting of double cones in reversed positions, their apexes separated
by a cross-piece,2 which is also found on Babylonian cylinders. Another
oriental type of divided pillar must be regarded as in part at least of
Egyptian origin. This is the staff or small pillar with a globular break
in the middle of the stem and two uraeus snakes curving up on either
side which so frequently occurs in the hands of Istar on late Babylonian
cylinders 3 (Fig. 29, 4). The uraeiare here a certain indication of borrowing
from the Egyptian side. Their symmetrical grouping recalls the snakes of
the Hathoric staff or pillar already cited and forms a recurring feature in
the derivative Cypriote types. The pillar stem of the Assyrian sacred tree
frequently shows the same central division. But the Assyrian tree itself
is in its origin a palinette column belonging to the same family as the
eighteenth Dynasty Egyptian, and the earlier Cypro-Mycenaean class.
The pillar image of divinity as will be shown in connexion with the
column in the Lions' Gate scheme has this distinct advantage over the
anthropomorphic type that the same pillar can represent a divinity either
in a male or female aspect or can become the material resting place of either
member of a divine pair. Still more obvious facilities were offered by divided
columns like the above for the needs of a dual cult. It gave easy expression
to the Semitic religious conception of bi-sexual godhead. So too in Cyprus
it might well convey the idea expressed by the alternative impersonation
of Aphrodite and Aphroditos. The aniconic religion at least obviated
such grotesque creations of the later cult as the 'bearded Aphrodite.'
1 A Cypro-Mycenaean cylinder in the
Ashmolean Museum.
- Dr. Ohnefalseh-Riehter, Ki/jiron, &c. p.
182, lias perhaps rightly recognised this type
in the pairs of double axe-like figures grouped
on either side of a serpent on a Cypriote
cylinder (Cesnola, Salami ilia, p. 128. Fig.
118). He uses the word ' Charamanim' in
connection with these doable cones.
' C. Menant, Olyptique Orientate, i. p. iii.
Fig. 99, p. 165, Fig. 102; Cat. Dt Glercq.
PI. XVI. Fig. 160. This class of haematite
cylinders is common in Syria andCilioia, anda
good example from Cyprus exists in the
British Museum. The double stall' with the
inxtti also occurs in a separate form between
two figures of Hea-Bani contending with a
bull, bearing the names of the Sun Cod Samas
and apparently his consort (Menant, Cat. JJk
Glercq. i. PL VIII. Fig. 68 and p. 57), where,
however, the comparison with the symbol ot
Istar is missed, and the object described as a
' candelabrum.'