Role of the Religious Sector in the Economy of Late Bronze Age Mycenaean Greece, The

Book Description

This scholarly exploration reveals how religious institutions wielded significant economic influence in ancient Mycenaean Greece during the Late Bronze Age. Author Susan M. Lupack challenges traditional views of palatial control by examining how religious sectors operated as independent centers of economic power alongside the ruling elite.

Drawing from Linear B tablets and archaeological evidence, this study uncovers the extensive commercial activities of religious communities. These sacred institutions engaged in diverse enterprises including textile production, metalworking, perfume manufacturing, and livestock management. The research demonstrates how temples and sanctuaries functioned not merely as spiritual centers, but as sophisticated economic hubs that controlled land, resources, and skilled craftspeople.

The work methodically examines workshop-shrine connections, analyzing how religious sites integrated spiritual practice with material production. Through detailed investigation of land tenure records from Pylos, Lupack illuminates the complex relationships between religious authorities, local communities, and palatial administration.

This analysis reveals how economic power naturally translated into social and political influence for religious institutions. The findings suggest that spiritual communities in Mycenaean society possessed considerable autonomy and authority, operating parallel economic systems that complemented and sometimes competed with centralized palace control.

For readers interested in understanding how spiritual communities have historically balanced material needs with sacred purposes, this study offers valuable insights into the practical foundations that supported ancient religious life and influence.