Mystic South

Ever since Sir Arthur Evans publicized the bare-breasted women in Minoan art in the early 20th century, academics and the public alike have assumed that women figured much more prominently in Minoan art and society than men did. This assumption has formed the basis of theories suggesting that ancient Minoan women held an authoritarian position similar to that which men now hold throughout much of the world. However, the few items that Evans focused on are not representative of the whole of Minoan art and give an inaccurate view both of the art and of women's place in Minoan society. A careful investigation shows that there is, in fact, an almost exactly equal representation of male and female figures overall. Using this more accurate data suggests that, rather than a female-dominated society, the Minoans were most likely a gender-egalitarian culture.