Crete

In large part, the religion of Crete remains unknown. We do know that the Cretans venerated symbols, like uncut stones and shields and double-sided axes. This last symbol, for example, can be found many places in carvings and art still existing from the period and also in the most famous legend ever to come out of Crete--the story of the Minotaur.

One part of the Minoan religion that we do know about is their belief in an afterlife. Like the ancient Egyptians, the Minoans placed many things alongside the dead in tombs--clothes, weapons, lamps, etc.

Historians still aren't sure whether the Minoans had written literature. So much of what we know of ancient Crete comes from the Greek writers which makes it difficult to develop a clear picture of Minoan culture and religious practices.

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