The Cambridge Illustrated History of Ancient Greece explains a variety of ways in which the Greeks were influenced by their religion. The Greeks expressed their respect for their gods through sacred acts, primarily festivals and rituals. The festivals were held to honor certain deities such as the Olympic Games, an event held for athletes meant to honor
Religion in ancient Greece was a major part of life and society. The religion related to all areas of life including how mankind even came into existence. Greek religion also consisted of temples, which covered the land, city festivals to commemorate the gods, and many myths. Polytheism was a major belief in Greek religion and it played a major role. Polytheism, or the worship of many gods, was a major aspect of ancient Greek religion.
This co... ... middle of paper ... ...ling Medusa. In summary, the Greek Gods and Goddesses interacted with humans mainly for individual gain, and sometimes for divine assistance of heroes. In conclusion, the creation of the Greek Gods and Goddesses by the ancient Greeks are simply a masterpiece of many years of work. With the creation of the Gods came along an array of myths following the great adventures of these Gods. These great adventures also told us much more about the Gods themselves, in ways of how they looked and acted, their powers, and types of interaction.
“Knowledge is power” (Francis Bacon); the ancient Greeks believed in the tellings of oracles; the knowledge they received from them was considered sacred. Oracles play a great part in many myths involving both mortals and gods. There were many different oracles throughout the ancient Greek history. The oracles play their part in each myth and the characters base most of their choices on what they are told. The Greeks thought very highly of the oracles.
These actors started a new way of life for people all over Greece, and soon the world. Comedy and tragedy, the two main forms of theatre, are unique in their own way, yet both bring people closer together through the love of theatre. Ancient Greek playwrights Sophocles, Eripedes, and Aeschylus immensely impacted modern theatre. These writers choose to be different and express themselves through theatre. The main aspect of why Greek theatre was so important in its day, was because it was a way to connect with friends, family, the community, and the gods.
After discoveries from the Trojan War, this logic had changed and become reversed, gathering people once again into Greek history. To the Ancient Greeks, Mythology was at the heart of everyday life, and highly regarded as part of their history. The word “myth” originates from the Greek word “mythos” meaning “speech” and later known as “fable” or “legend.” (Myth. 2). This shows how the age of gods and mortals, origin theories and the Greek conception of philosophy are highly evident in proving that Greek society had evolved around the folklore and storytelling that had helped shape their society in believing in gods in order for their safety and stability.
There was a king of the gods and his name was Zeus he was god of the sky, and he had a wife and she was called Hera and her duty was to advise her king on the way to run things. Poseidon was a brother to Zeus and was god of the sea and all that lived under it and dared to cross it as he tested many a sailor. Hades another brother of Zeus ruled the underworld or hell. There are many other gods such as Athena, Aphrodite, Hephaetus, Hermes, Helios, etc. The Greeks loved their gods so they would build temples of worship, statues of praise, and many other things to support them.
Religion was an integral part of ancient Greek society and there were various ways in which the people could communicate directly or indirectly with the Olympian gods. Ancient Greeks could receive messages from the gods though a medium of a priestess or priest at oracles such as Delphi, Asclepius and Dodona. One of the biggest and most widespread ways to communicate indirectly with the gods was to sacrifice a valuable part of the harvest or a healthy animal such as an ox or sheep. Home rituals were also important to an ancient Greek household, as they were a way of communicating directly with the gods and they were performed in many aspects of life such as birth and marriage. Oracles were used in ancient Greece as a way of the gods communicating with mortals through a mediator; this was often at oracular shrines which the people turned to for advice (Joint Association of Classical Teachers, 1984).
Moreover, these topics will be examined in relation to the twelve Olympian gods and their associates. The ancient Greeks practiced a religion that was in effect, a building block to many ensuing pagan religions. This religion revolved around their reverence to the gods. Essentially, the Greeks worshipped numerous gods, making their religion polytheistic. They believed that exercising the opportunity to choose between a wide array of gods to worship offered them a great sense of freedom that they treasured.
These individual gods specialized in his/her own field and they were the explanations for the many events that occurred around ancient Greece. This was important to the ancient civilizations; in fact, the ancient Greeks even built individual temples for the more important gods and goddesses. In these temples, the specified god or goddess was worshipped and treated like loyalty. But, the Greeks were not the only ones who observed this religion. Ancient Romans also followed in Greek’s footsteps, believing in multiple, similar gods and goddesses.