| The goddess with upraised arms is the main way in which the female deity is represented in LM III times. This study examines the series of large LM III and Subminoan figurines together with other contemporary representations of the same type, looks at their relationship to Mycenean “winged figurines”, and points out Eastern and Egyptian parallels. It is argued that the type is of Eastern origin and was introduced into Crete during MM I-II times. The gesture made by the goddess is linked to the stance adopted by Eastern divinities of intercession; in all probability there was a single goddess, who was divided up into several similar manifestations in the course of worship. The appendix investigates the survival of the type in Greek antiquity. A number of new examples are also published. |