User:Epichippo/Larnax

Late Minoan III larnax from Kavrochori, Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.

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 and Mycenaean civilizations and in Ancient Greece as a container for human remains—either a corpse (bent back on itself) or cremated ashes from the early 14th to the 12th century B.C. It was the standard vessel for someone who died, specifically on Crete and Knossos because of its suggested cultural significance in these areas.

History & Origin

Some aspects of the Minoan chest and its function stems all the way back to ancient myths during the Bronze Age period. Some sources say the larnax is named after King Minos, whose wife gave birth to the mythical minotaur in Greek mythology, or individuals such as Glaucus, who is said to have fallen into a jar of honey, or Agamemnon who was killed in a bathtub, there are many myths that speculate its origin and function. Using these tales and being a custom tradition, the closing of a larnax would show the real death of someone and that they've passed.

Gable-topped Egyptian Linen Chest, MET Museum.

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 that were used as furniture. Some of the earliest larnakes also appeared in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Palestine. Because larnakes appeared in various settings, there is a notion that some larnakes could actually be independent of each other and could've been created on their own. However, there is also no unknown origin of this invention.

Function

It would be used in rituals, specifically in Greece during the Palatial period, circa 1350-1200 B.C. They were used in various tombs to hold the bones of the dead and was said to be a sacred and important practice for not only physical life, but also beliefs of the afterlife.

Clay larnax with Sphinx, Mycenaean, AM of Thebes.

Usually, the larnax had a specific type of shape but could also be morphed. Composed of a body and lid, with four legs, larnakes were either square-shaped or ellipsoidal. With its chest shape, some larnakes were also bathtub shaped, speculating that these items could have been used for bathing purposes. In later Egyptian styled larnakes, they would also have a hole at the bottom of the best to, "expedite the decomposition of the body."

By the end of the Late Bronze Age Period, this practice reached its popularity with two standardized forms of larnakes; one being the chest-shape and the other being bathtub-shaped and was used all over Crete. Original larnakes would be made out of wood, and later larnakes would be made of other things such as gold, clay, and terracotta.

Iconography

Minoan Terracotta larnax with various decorative design on the front of its chest, MET Museum.

Minoan larnakes were richly decorated with abstract patterns, scenes of hunting and cult rituals, and representations of the afterworld, which could vary depending on each coffin-like chest due to its religious and funerary purposes.

Designs such as ritual figures and objects, animals, plants, would be a reflection of what the larnax was used for; the afterlife and how individuals would be received in it. Some larnakes would also have painted iconography on its front facing body, consisting of colored images of nature.

In the earlier Late Minoan II-IIIAl period, pigments such as red, blue, yellow and white would be found in tombs, as well as raised panels of ivory carved with running spirals. Outside of these early wooden chests and simple designs, there was very minimal influence from outside cultures until later periods. Earlier depictions would showcase various religious ideas, while later larnakes would do the same, but have Nilotic afterlife attributed styles.

Larnax, Early Minoan, hunting scene, AM Rethymno.

With more elaborate artistry with later larnakes, they would depict similar themes from previous eras, while also infusing other iconography such as spirals, wavy lines, checkerboard patterns, bulls, alters, birds, goddesses and mourners, flowers, octopuses, dolphins, etc.

With evolving illustrations of larnakes by the end of the Late Minoan IIIA2-B period, these motifs are speculated to showcase the shift of Aegean identity within its individuals and navigating their own contemporary world through religious beliefs and practices.

Larnakes in Later Periods

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.

Assorted Larnakes

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  Minoan larnax, cattle, Crete, AMH.
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  Larnakes, Archaeological Museum of Agios Nikolaos.
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  Mycenaean larnax 1, AM of Thebes.
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  The golden larnax and the golden crown of Philip II of Macedon, Vergina Museum.