By Dimosthenis Vasiloudis

Emerging from the Mycenaean civilization around 1450 BCE, Linear B stands as an invaluable artifact and the earliest deciphered form of the Greek language. The evolution of Minoan Linear A and Linear B's status remained a mystery until the mid-20th century, when British cryptographer Michael Ventris unlocked their secrets. Unlike the still-mysterious Linear A, Linear B was used primarily for administrative tasks, detailing transactions, and keeping inventory within the Mycenaean society. The wealth of information it provides allows us a unique look into the economic, religious, and societal structures of the Late Bronze Age in Greece.

The Greek term “Gods," which refers to the supernatural beings of ancient Greek worship and is still used today by modern Greeks, is found since prehistoric times in Linear B tablets of the Mycenaean period in Knossos.

The concept of "pasi/pantes theoi" [pa-si-te-o-i], “to all the gods,” as deciphered in specific tablets referring to worship practices exclusively of Knossos, refers theonymically to a set of deities that probably contain the whole of the Minoan "pantheon." According to the researchers, this report bears similarities with similar practices in the Near East, which use similar reports to appease foreign or non-local deities. Evidence of the continuity of the Minoan religion (or at least the worship of the Minoan gods) during the Mycenaean period in Knossos may be found here as well.

In Homer there are also many references to "all Gods", but only in the religious comparison of Hellenistic civilization do we see a special cult that addresses all the gods, especially in the region of Asia Minor.

Etymology

From Proto-Hellenic *tʰehós (whence also Mycenaean Greek [te-o]), a thematicization of Proto-Indo-European *dʰéh₁s, from *dʰeh₁- (“to do, to put, to place”) + *-s. Cognate with Phrygian δεως (deōs, “to the gods”), Old Armenian դիք (dikʿ, “pagan gods”) and Latin fēriae (“festival days”), fānum (“temple”) and fēstus (“festive”).

Despite its superficial similarity in form and meaning, the word is not related to Latin deus; the two come from different roots. A true cognate of deus is Ζεύς (Zeús).