

Mithra-ndir
Gandalf and the Roman cult of Mithras
J.R.R. Tolkien described The Lord of the Rings as a fundamentally Catholic work. But a close reading of the epic novel reveals many more influences, including a connection between Mithras and the wizard Gandalf, whose Elvish name is Mithrandir.

A Minoan harbour town
The ancient site of Kommos in Crete
On the southern coast of Crete, a little north of Matala, lies Kommos, the site of a Minoan harbour town. While not open to the public, you can get a good sense of the site from behind the fences.

Carved into rock
The so-called “caves” (tombs) at Matala
Located on the southern coast of Crete, Matala is a modern beach-side resort with a history that stretches back to ancient times. The only visible remains of the distant past are the artificial caves near the beach.

Sanctuaries in ancient Greece
The regular team consisting of Joshua Hall, Matthew Lloyd, and Josho Brouwers talk about sanctuaries and other sacred places in ancient Greece.

The birthplace of Zeus?
The Psychro Cave in Crete
High in the Dicte mountain range along the Lasithi Plateau in Crete is the Psychro Cave, which may have been the place where, according to myth, the great god Zeus was raised.

Armed riders from Crete
Reliefs from the temple at Prinias
The collection of the archaeological museum of Iraklion includes reliefs of armed horsemen from the temple unearthed at Prinias, one of the oldest stone temples in Greece.

Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey
Exploring ancient Knossos
Invicta invited archaeologist Josho Brouwers to provide commentary on the game’s depiction of Knossos. There is, as you might expect, a lot to talk about.

Zeus and Europa
Smitten by the beautiful Phoenician princess Europa, Zeus transforms himself into a bull with the aim of abducting the poor girl.

Egypt’s nightworld
An interview with Dr Kasia Szpakowska
Learn more about the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians in this interview with Kasia Szpakowska of the Ancient Egyptian Demonology Project.

Horns of Consecration
A closer look at a Minoan symbol
When he excavated Knossos, Arthur Evans happened across artefacts that he believed were stylized horns of a sacred bull. Was he correct?