Dawn of the Gods: Minoan and Mycenaean Origins of Greece

Feminine and Masculine Culture(s)

This is a fabulous book that I first saw in the seventies, probably still in high school. Sometime in the past few years, I was reminded of its existence in a conversation of with my sister-in-law. She asked if I thought prehistorical society could have been (in some sense) matriarchal, à la Marija Gimbutas or Johann Jakob Bachofen. I replied no, everything great is a result. A gender egalitarianism was not a natural state; it was an achievement. I suggested Crete for its earliest (near) instantation. I was surprised by my reply, - where did this notion regarding Crete come from? She mentioned (if I remember correctly) Jackie Hawkes, I made a mental note to look into this matter.
Sometime after this show more conversation, I became interested in feminist theoretical understanding of anthropology and ancient history and started reading up on it. And recently, I found the Hawkes book at a very low price and bought it. In this reading I found the author's voice very familiar, delightfully so. ...Perhaps I may have seen it in the late seventies in Princeton, at one of the many bookstores there. I am sure I will never know, but the moderate tone, sweet style and sane argumentation seems very familiar. I definitely never owned it. In those days of limited book shelving I certainly never (ever!) bought thick oversized books!
Now, this book is really two books. -An oversized scholarly coffee table reference book filled with sumptuous pictures and, according to the contents, 45 color plates. On the other hand, it is a gently, at times wryly, and often lyrical feminist meditation on (and invocation of) the "feminine personality" of Cretan (Minoan) civilization contrasted with Mycenaean 'masculinist' culture that eventually destroyed it.. Our author writes very well, and with wit. After first mentioning this duality between the feminine and the masculine cultures in the Preface she sweetly writes "-I hope no one will be provoked"!
Of course, our author intends to be a bit provocative, and she gently succeeds. Unfortunately, regarding real History, I think it should be obvious that if any civilization or empire or state or people become too civilized and peaceful, they will eventually be destroyed by those less civilized and peaceful.

Since this book is out of print I include the contents.
Contents
Introduction
1. The Birth of Athena
2. Two Island Civilization
3. The Grace of Life
4. Graves and Kingdoms
5. The Imperial Age
6. Greek Revival
Bibliography
Acknowledgments
Index show less

A good reference book on the Bronze Age Aegean.

Group D