ABSTRACT
Although Warren provides no reference, there can be little doubt that he refers here to a ring impression published by Papapostolou in 1977. 60 But Warren's description is misleading. First of all, the smaller figure does not appear to be 'standing' before the goddess. The legs are bent sharply inward at the knees, a position which suggests to Papapostolou that the figure is dancing; that she is leaping also seems possible - in either case hardly an appropriate activity for a sacrificial victim. Also, the object which Warren interprets as a sword is by no means certainly a sword; it does not even seem to be pointed at the end, and Papapostolou suggests that it is a mallet. 61 Finally, and most importantly, the object does not seem to be 'over the child' or 'poised for the kill'. Rather, it touches, and appears to extend upward from, the smaller figure's upraised hand: it is fairly clear that she is meant to be holding or waving the object in her hand. The smaller figure thus seems to be engaged in some sort of ritual performance, dancing and holding a long object in one hand, before the seated, and presumably divine, figure.
