Flora Unveiled

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cheeks, not though his mother and his father died, not though men slew his brother

or dear son with the sword before his face, and his own eyes beheld it.^67

Helen’s expertise in the use of botanicals in medical treatment is consistent with repre-

sentations of the role of women as healers in the Bronze Age, as exemplified by religious and

healing rituals showing female cultic figures and centered on crocus, poppies, and other

flowers and plants in Cretan and Mycenean art.

(a)

(b)

Figure 6.21 Minoan poppy goddess- with- upraised- arms from Gazi, Crete. A. General view.

B. Close- up of head showing slits on the poppy fruits (arrows).