Guardians of Minoan Summer

Original Greek Version

Κουβαλάνε το καύσωνα μαζί τους τα γεράκια.
Μας ξανοίγουν απο ψηλά στα βουνά τα αγρίμια.

Αλλά η ισχυρή Θεά τα πάντα επιβλέπει.
Είτε παιδί, είτε λουλούδι, όλα τα προστατεύει.

Transliteration

Kouvaláne to káfsona mazí tous ta gerákia
Mas xanoígoun apo psilá sta vouná ta agrímia.

Allá i ischyrí Theá ta pánta epivlépei.
Eíte paidí, eíte louloúdi, óla ta prostatévei.

English Version

Falcons¹ bring the heatwaves along with them.
Kri-kri goats² observe us from the mountain.

But our fierce Goddess looks over everything.
She protects it all, flower³ or offspring.

Footnotes

1. Eleonora’s falcons are migratory and arrive in Crete around this time to breed on the coastal cliffs and offshore islets of Crete. As an indigenous Mediterranean raptor, the species has nested along the Aegean for thousands of years.
2. Crete’s famous endemic wild goat. June is a very active time for them.
3. Some of the main flowers on the island around this time are oleander and rockrose.

Minoan Winter

Original Greek Version

Άσπρα σαν τα σύννεφα ειν’τα βουνά εκιά πέρα.
Βροχή και καταβατικοί άνεμοι κάθε μέρα!

Δόξα την Θεά που η συγκομιδή ήταν άφθονη,
η ζεστασιά στα παλάτια και σπίτια μας μπόλικη.

Transliteration

Áspra san ta sýnnefa ein’ta vouná ekiá péra.
Vrohí kai katavatikoí ánemoi káthe méra!

Dóxa tin Theá pou i synkomidí ítan áfthoni,
i zestasiá sta palátia kai spítia mas bóliki.

English Version

The mountains in the distance, white like clouds.
Rain and katabatic winds all around!

Thank Goddess the harvest was bountiful!
The warmth in our palaces, plentiful.

Note: Similar to Modern Crete, Ancient Crete had short, mild winters (though winters on the the north end were a little harsher). To keep warm, they utilized centralized heating systems in their palaces and elite homes and implemented bioclimatic architectural designs. Besides that, simple fires, heavier clothing, and communal living spaces were commonplace. Katabatic winds are winds that blow down a slope, which are caused by gravity pulling dense, cold air downhill.