Hellenic Pantheon in Linear B'

[Orphic_Hymn]

Alot of theory around the names of the Hellinic Gods has been presented by our Northern neighbors, allegedly deriving from Proto-Slavic dispite the fact that we find the existance of the names prior to the existance of any Slavic tongue.. While there are several theories surrounding the date of the appearance of Proto-Slavic, we definitely know that there are neither inscriptions nor any other archeologic find to back up these theories...

On the other hand.. the Linear B' finds among them that in Pylos, tablet 316, (gives a desciption of a ceremonial "gift-giving" to the Gods) make clear reference to the Hellinic Pantheon..

ΔΙΑΣ, ΖΕΥΣ (DIAS, ZEUS)

Zeus, God of the heavens and weather conditions, whos name has been saved in the place name in the Island of Naxos, the highest mountain 'Dias' of the Kyklades. On which we find a 6th cent. inscription 'OROS DIOS MHLWSIOY'. The very gramatic from of the name 'DIOS', is seen in the dative form 'di-me' ( ΔιFε ' ι ) : ΔιFι = Διι = (to Dias)

In the above mentioned tablet 316, we find (do-ra-qe pe-re po-re-na qe a-ke) meaning [ δώρα τε φέρει ρο-τήνας τε άγει ] = "to bring gifts' which constitute gold cups bearing inscriptions.
The actual place of worship of Dias is actually mentioned and is called 'Διfιον' (di-wi-jo, di-u-jo) in both Crete and Pylos. Besides Dias, his female counterpart 'Διfια' is also mentioned, most probably a Sky-Goddess. His son is also mentioned under the name of 'Δία Δρίμιος' (di-ri-mi-jo di-wo i-ze-we : Δριμίω ΔιFός ιήFει = "to the son of Dia Drimio'
b) In several tablets found at Knossos, we find that oil is being recorded to have been distributed (in the form of a gift) to various Gods and Dieties, among them we find 'Δίκταιο Δία' (di-ka-ta-jo di-we : Δικταίω ΔιFεί = Διί


ΗΡΑ (Hera)

In the tablet 316 is seen as e-ra = Ήρα = 'to Hera'..
The very fact that she is placed exactly next to Zeus indicates that these two Gods were considered a couple since the Mycenean era..

ΕΡΜΗΣ (HERMES)

Hermes is seen as e-ma-a : Ερμάha = 'to Hermes'
In other tablets he is given the adjective Αρείος (e-ma-a a-re-ja : Ερμάha Αρεία ) while theories on its meaning vary, we find it in several Arcadian inscriptions of the 6th cent pertaining to religious invocations towards Dias, Enualios and Athena.

'Αρης (Ares)

Seen in several tablets a-re : 'Αρη = 'to Ares'


Απόλλων (Apollo)

Seen as a-pe-ro [-ne : Απελλώνει = Απελλώνι = 'to Apollo'


ΠΩΣΕΙΔΩΝ (POSEIDON)

Seen as po-se-da-o-ne : Ποσειδαώνει = exactly as seen in Homeric texts.
Beside the name we find continuous reference to his place of worship called :
Ποσιδαίον (po-si-da-i-jo).
We also find the dative form Ποσιδαεία (po-si-da-e-ja) most probably a corresponding female Goddess. Based on the tablets we come to the conclusion that he was the greatest of all Gods of Pylos, receiving yearly gifts , Hmoer also mentions these yearly celebrations in his name..


ΔΙΟΝΥΣΟΣ (DIONYSSOS)

Seen as di-wo-nu-so : ΔιFονύσω. The connection to Dias is evident


ΑΘΗΝΑ (ATHENA)

Seen as a-ta-na-po-ti-ni-ja :Αθάνα Ποτνία = Homeric expression 'πότνι' Αθηναίη = matron Athna


ΑΡΤΕΜΙΣ (ARTEMIS)

Seen as a-ti-mi-te :Αρτιίτει = 'to Artemis' also commonly seen is the phrase :
a-te-mi-to do-e-ro :Αρτέμιδος δόελος = Artemis' slave

ΔΗΜΗΤΡΑ (DEMETER)

seen as deh-meh-ter : Δήμητηρ = barley mother from the Linear B' word de-ai = barley and meh-ter = mother




ΕΝΥΑΛΙΟΣ (ENYALIOS)

Seen as e-nu-wa-ri-jo : Ενυαλίω
Know from the Hellinic anthology to be another name for 'Αρης (Ares)



ΑΝΕΜΟΙ (THE WINDS)

Seen as a-ne-mo-I-je-re-ja : Ανέμων Ιέρια = priestess of the Winds



ΠΟΤΝΙΑ (POTNIA)

Seen as po-ti-ni-ja : Πότνια = mistress seen in Homeric Hymns to refer to Δήμητρα (Demeter)

[akritas]

One more intresting as about the Athena. In Linear B (Mucenaen Greek) written as A-TA-NA.

[Flipper]

Orphic Hymn, do you have any pics of religious Linear B documents? I'm very interrested!!!

[Orphic_Hymn]

Sorry.. but no.
The above come from the 1st volume of DOMH's "History of the Hellenes", article written by Prof. Ioannis Promponas.
If I remember correctly www.perseus.tufts.edu has pics but the site isn't working for me right now so can't cross-check.