A recent analysis by archaeologist Nicoletta Antognelli Michel of the Technical University of Darmstadt has led to a groundbreaking interpretation in the field of Mycenaean iconography. Her research suggests that a specific group of human figures depicted on pictorial-style kraters from the Late Helladic period, known as Sword Bearers, may represent women instead of male warriors as previously thought.
Michel’s study focuses on distinctive figures that appear on kraters from the Late Mycenaean period. These figures bear a sword crossed over their chest and wear a long, ornate, eye-catching cloak, in addition to having long hair, a detail typically associated with female representations in Minoan and Mycenaean iconography. Traditionally, these figures have been identified as men due to the presence of the sword, an object historically associated with masculinity. However, Michel suggests that these representations may indeed be female and linked more to ceremonial roles than to warfare.
The symbolism of the weapon in these figures could be more connected to ritual power and female authority in religious ceremonies than a representation of violence or war, Michel explained in her analysis. The researcher argues that in Aegean culture, women held a prominent place in religious and ritual practices, making it plausible that these sword-bearing figures reflect symbolic, non-military roles.
The key to Michel’s proposal lies in an exhaustive review of gender attributes in Aegean iconography. Traditionally, identifying gender in Mycenaean representations has been challenging, as many human figures are presented with stylized features that obscure specific details. Most representations feature short hair and generic clothing. However, certain details, such as the presence of long hair and elaborate dress, are interpreted as feminine elements in other depictions of Mycenaean culture.
This conclusion builds on the work of researcher Louise Steel, who had already proposed certain visual elements as gender indicators, such as hairstyles, clothing, and accessories. In her analysis, Michel uses these indicators to reinforce her hypothesis that the Sword Bearers could represent women rather than male warriors.
Among the figures studied is one from Mycenae in particular, which shares the style of the cloak and the arrangement of the sword across the chest. This is one of the few cases where a female figure with a weapon has been documented, which, according to Michel, justifies reexamining the symbolic roles of these images rather than interpreting them from a military perspective.
Furthermore, the analysis highlights that the context in which these figures appear lacks elements of violence. The Sword Bearers are shown in peaceful scenes, such as processions or alongside chariots, and their swords are displayed ornamentally, suggesting a more symbolic than military function.
Michel’s analysis also focuses on certain visual details of the figures that support their feminine identity. The figures wear adornments like ribbons in their hair and headpieces, common elements in female depictions of the Aegean. They also display necklaces and bracelets, details that in the region’s iconography are mostly reserved for women, with only rare instances of men adorned with jewelry in religious contexts. Michel argues that these distinctive details serve as visual clues that support her proposal to interpret the Sword Bearers as female representations.
Michel’s interpretation reveals that Mycenaean iconography may have been more inclusive and complex in its gender symbolism than previously thought. In her conclusions, Michel encourages archaeologists and scholars of ancient art to reconsider the gender connotations associated with weapons, proposing that the automatic association of swords with male figures may be a reflection of modern cultural biases rather than an accurate portrayal of practices from that era.
SOURCES
Antognelli Michel N. The ‘Sword Bearers’: Women Bearing Swords? Rethinking a Group of Figures in Mycenaean Pictorial Vase Painting. The Annual of the British School at Athens. Published online 2024:1-40. doi:10.1017/S0068245424000108
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