Greek Gods - The Historical Background

Greek Gods - The Historical Background

Greek gods were an essential part of Greek mythology. Our proper

knowledge of the ancient Greek gods can be traced back to Homer who

wrote The Iliad and The Odysse.

It is also believed that the myths were heavily influenced by the

Mycenaean culture that existed in Greece from 1700 to 1100 BC. However

there is some evidence that the beginnings of Greek mythology and

beliefs can be traced back to the ancient Middle Eastern cultures.

There are many similarities between the mythology of these ancient

Middle Eastern cultures and the ancient Greeks.

Greek Gods - Religious & Social Background

The Greek gods were created in order to explain the world around them

in order to put a reason or explanation behind everything, and to

provide entertainment for the masses.

In the Greek religion however there was not a sole source or reading

that could be studied and preached, i.e. Muslims study the Koran, and

Christians the Bible.

However the Greeks were broader and less strict in the way they

practised their faith, each different Greek city-state would devote

itself to a particular god or a set of gods, and depending on the

location of the state the characteristics of the gods could vary many

city-states erected temples to their particular gods, and these gods

were honoured in festivals and animal sacrifices.

The ancient Greek gods were believed to take on human form and lived

in a society similar to human society, ...