Diktynna: Myth and Cult

Abstract

Diktynna was a goddess of Minoan origin worshipped chiefly in western Crete, although her cult found its way to places as distant as Gallia Narbonensis and Commagene. What little evidence there is for Diktynna's nature and history is mostly late and often contradictory, and her character is still poorly understood. The first part of this thesis analyses the main sources of evidence and attempts to draw a general outline of the identity of the goddess on Crete and abroad. It seems that Diktynna was conceived of in several different forms. Her native Cretan persona was descended from an ancient Mistress of Animals figure with kourotrophic functions, and possibly also a guardian of initiates. Her non-Cretan or ‘literary’ persona (which also incorporated elements of native Cretan tradition) was associated with Artemis, and identified with the minor goddesses Aphaia, Laphria and Britomartis. These two distinct identities can be reconciled to a limited extent, but no firm conclusions can be drawn about the origin or meaning of the contradictory aspects of Diktynna's personality. Part two surveys die history of the temple of Diktynna on Cape Spatha, beginning with a brief history of the scholarship on the site and its remains. The Diktynnaion served as the major cultural and religious centre of western Crete for over 800 years, from the sixth century BC until the time of Commodus. During Classical and Hellenistic times, the temple catered mainly to the north-western coast, and in her sanctuary the goddess was the protector of peaceful relations and business between the rival pirate cities. After the campaigns of Q. Caecilius Metellus, however, the Diktynnaion came to depend more and more upon Roman patronage, a mutually profitable arrangement. Consequently - at a time when many Greek sanctuaries were in decline - the Diktynnaion became extremely wealthy and attracted the attention of great rulers and religious leaders, including Apollonius of Tyana and the emperor Hadrian. The final chapter of part two provides a brief description of the archaeology of the Diktynnaion, based on previous scholarship and personal observations made in 1993. The evidence for other Cretan temples of Diktynna is discussed in the first appendix to chapter 2.2.