We know little about Minoan religion, but it is clear that religion was an important aspect of Minoan life. No male deities have been discovered in Minoan ruins, only goddesses. It is unclear whether the goddesses represent two or three goddesses or only one with different aspects.

However, it is clear that the priestesses were female, and that Minoan religion was matriarchal with an all-powerful mother goddess. This is true of many very ancient religions. With the advent of urbanization around the world matriarchal religions were gradually replaced by patriarchal ones, just as the Greek patriarchal religion (a pantheon led by Zeus) eventually replaced the Minoan matriarchal religon. The Minoans did not bring about this change, however. It was not until the Minoans were conquered by the Myceneans (the mainland Greeks), and the Minoan civilization came to an end.

The society was probably matrilineal, that is they traced their descent through the female line, rather than the male (as is done in the patrilineal societies we are more familiar with). Surprisingly for a bronze age urban culture, women retained their power in religion and in society.

Part of The Minoans a HistoryWiz exhibit