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Reged: Feb 16 2004
Posts: 1056
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This thread is for comments about Bull-Leaping in Bronze Age Crete, by Marie Brennan.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Nice to see some revival of interest in this hobby. It's been a while... I think there have been at least 800 marbles crazes, and about as many for spinning tops, jacks etc. These modern playground fads like Pokémon and Digi-Gee-Oh have a long way to go, let me tell you.
By the way... you neglected to mention that this practice, or a variant of it, it still performed in Portuguese bullfights by men in silly hats
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Kyle Niedzwiecki
Senior Articles Editor
Reged: Oct 29 2004
Posts: 12
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I'll note that we did link to some videos at the end of the article which appear to be of the activities you describe.
Glad the article was useful, however.
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Kyle Niedzwiecki
Senior Articles Editor
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genebko
New user
Reged: Mar 24 2004
Posts: 1
Loc: Saint Louis, MO
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Great article. I remember a bit of the discussion in an archeology class I took in college (too many years ago). I realize that I have not seen all the frescoes or other images of bull leaping but I would like to other a thought and ask for feedback from someone more knowledgeable. Is it possible that the red figures shown engaged in the leaping are intended to depict “real” people while the white, non gendered figures depict the spirits that guide or other wise help the bull leaper? This could explain the non-specific and somewhat female characteristics of a goddess-like personification. Anyone who has credible thoughts, please reply.
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There are only two ways to live your life: as though nothing is a miracle, or as though everything is a miracle.
— Albert Einstein
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Anonymous
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I didn't come across any suggestions of that possibility in my reading, but I suppose its plausibility would have to be based on whether or not similar depictions appear in other kinds of art. In Egyptian art, which makes similar color distinctions, gods are identified by, well, having animal heads :) and often by the symbols on their heads (Isis' throne, for example), rather than by color. I'm not sure about Aegean art, which is a bit closer to home; I'm also not sure how frequently gods are *depicted* in those traditions.
It's certainly an interesting suggestion, though.
--Marie Brennan
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Great article, but no-one seems to think that perhaps the bulls may have been 'schooled', akin to circus horses working at liberty. I have trained a Brahman Bull to Show Jump, and it IS possible! Judging by the stance of the bull and the development of the neck muscles, (even though a stylised pose)the bull could have been trained to run in a straight line (like medieveal jousting horses)and assist the 'leaper'. It may also be women who are suited to this as they are more 'intuitive' to the bull, and not a threat, male pheremones may distract the bull. I have also had experience with steer wrestling, but it holds as much likeness to bull leaping as bronc riding does to Dressage.
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