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THE PALACE OF MINOS, ETC.

Mythical
Accre-
tions to
Winged
Figures.

Melian
Revival
ofWinged
Seal-
Types.

Scarab
Wings of
Egyptian
Origin.

Though the winged sphinx of Minoan creation perpetuated itself, its
fellow type, the sphinx with butterfly wings, does not seem to have secured
the permanence that its beauty certainly deserved. But the type with the
wings and head of an eagle added to the body and skirt of a woman
(Fig. 531,/") continued to be repeated in Crete to the latest Minoan phase—
and some mythical accretion may well have accumulated round it. The
kindred design in which the head of a bird of prey is coupled with women's
breasts and a spreading tail (Fig. 531, e) might well stand mutatis mutandis
for the prototype of the Classical Harpy.

That wings as an attribute of divinity survived in certain types
to the end of the Minoan Age is shown by
the existence of a L. M. Ill intaglio 1 in which
the oreat Cretan Goddess is seen with what

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appear to be short wings proceeding from her
shoulders, between two confronted griffins.
The sphragistic revival that took place five
centuries later, and in which Melian craftsmen
played a principal part, is marked by the
appearance of a variety of winged figures—
pegasi, winged goats, lions and sea-horses,
Gorgons, and other daemonic or semi-divine
forms.

That the winged goat type 2 was antici-
pated in Minoan times is shown by a remark-
able agate lentoid found near Kydonia (Canea) and here reproduced in
Fig. 532.3 What appears to be a male divinity, nude except for his girdle,
is here seen above the Sacral Horns. Behind him a Minoan Genius, of
the Ta-urt family, holds an ewer for libation, while, in front of the sacred
personage, a winged goat raises himself on his hind-legs, as a kind of
supporter. Here we see this winged animal type in a clearly religious
association. The gem itself may be referred to the close of the First Late
Minoan Period.

How far other of these winged creations may be ultimately traced to
Minoan sources would require a special investigation, But the upcurved ends

Fig. 532. Gem showing
Male Divinity, Winged Goat
and Minoan ' Genius '.

1 On a haematite lentoid from W. Crete tively, are seen on the Zakro sealings, op. cii.,
(Coll. A. E.). Nos. 12 and 13.

2 Winged goat types, bat with the lower part 3 Here for the first time illustrated, with the
of the body both of male and female sex, with owner's kind permission.

' bathing drawers' and flounced skirt respec-