Larnax

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Late Minoan III larnax from Kavrochori, Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
The golden larnax and the golden crown of Philip II of Macedon, Vergina Museum.

A larnax (plural: larnakes; Ancient Greek: λάρναξ, lárnaks, plural: λάρνακες, lárnakes) is a type of small closed coffin, box or "ash-chest" often used in the Minoan civilization and in Ancient Greece as a container for human remains—either a corpse (bent back on itself) or cremated ashes. It was the standard vessel for someone who died, specifically on Crete.[1]

The first larnakes appeared in the Minoan period of the Aegean civilization, when they took the form of ceramic coffers designed to imitate wooden chests, perhaps on the pattern of Egyptian linen chests. They were richly decorated with abstract patterns, octopuses and scenes of hunting and cult rituals.[2] Some of the earliest larnakes also appeared in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Palestine.[3]

Because larnakes appeared in various settings like Mesopotamia, Palestine, and Crete, there is an notion that some larnakes could actually be independent of each other and could've been created on their own.[3]

Usually, the larnax had a specific type of shape but could also be morphed. Composed of a body and lid, with four legs, larnakes can be square-shaped or ellipsoidal.[4] Original larnakes would be made out of wood, and later larnakes would be made of other things. Some larnakes would also have painted iconography on it's front facing body, consisting of colored images of nature.[5]

"The larnax was used in funerary rituals in mainland Greece for a relatively brief period of time at the height of the Mycenean palatial period, circa 1350-1200 B.C. These four-legged containers were used in tombs to hold the bones of the deceased."[5]

"During the end of the LBA, this funerary practice reached its climax and two specific and standardised forms of larnakes, known as the chest-shaped larnax and the bathtub-shaped larnax, were used all over Crete."

Some aspects of the Minoan chest and its function stems all the way back to ancient myths during the Bronze Age period. Some of these myths consisted of individuals such as Glaukos, who is said to have fallen into a jar of honey, or Agememmnon who supposedly was killed in a bath tub. Using these tales, Being a custom tradition, using a larnax and the closing of it would show the real death of someone and that they've passed.[3] This could be the meaning that Minoans gave to these chests.

Traditionally made out of wood, larnakes have evolved over time, with their shape as well as their significance. Seen in later time periods, they were used for decoration and furniture, when they were once used as coffins. Other various versions were seen made out of gold, terracotta, and stone.[1]

During the later Hellenistic period, larnakes, in the form of small terracotta sarcophagi, became popular, some of which were painted in similar styles to contemporary Greek vases.

In a few special cases, larnakes appear to have been made out of precious materials, as in the 4th century BC example found at Vergina in Macedonia, of gold, with a sun motif (hence known as the "Vergina Sun" motif) on the lid. Manolis Andronikos, the leader of the archaeological excavation, posited that the larnax most likely contained the remains of King Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great.[6]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Watrous, L. Vance (1991). "The Origin and Iconography of the Late Minoan Painted Larnax". Hesperia: The Journal of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens. 60 (3): 285–307. doi:10.2307/148065. ISSN 0018-098X.
  2. ^ Minoan larnax from the Metropolitan; British Museum: Late Minoan larnax from Knossos, Crete
  3. ^ a b c Rutkowski, Bogdan (1968). "The Origin of the Minoan Coffin". The Annual of the British School at Athens. 63: 219–227. ISSN 0068-2454.
  4. ^ Georgel-Debedde, Sarah (2022-01), Aulsebrook, Stephanie; Żebrowska, Katarzyna; Ulanowska, Agata; Lewartowski, Kazimierz (eds.), "Building a Minoan Larnax —Techniques and Gestures. Preliminary Analysis", Sympozjum Egejskie, Turnhout, Belgium: Brepols Publishers, pp. 69–84, doi:10.1484/m.wsa-eb.5.128953, ISBN 978-2-503-59991-5, retrieved 2024-04-28 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ a b "A MYCENAEAN PAINTED POTTERY LARNAX, TANAGRA, LATE BRONZE AGE, CIRCA MID 13TH CENTURY B.C. | Christie's". onlineonly.christies.com. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  6. ^ Manolis Andronikos (1981). The Finds from the Royal Tombs at Vergina. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-85672-204-2.
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