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Greek Religion
To understand the functions that religion and society serve in any given Greek culture, they must be looked at both separately and together, for they are intimately bound. A large portion of mythology explains religion, just as much of religion is mythology put into practice and its many traditions during the time. They have significant roles in religion, which mythology represents. In Ancient Greece, Greek religion was a big part of Greek society and as well as polytheistic beliefs. Greece is made up of many city-states in Southeastern Europe on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Life was different for each city-state because each city-state was self-governed. Greek religion influenced the ethics, rituals, and social activities of Ancient Greek societies.
In Greek religion, there are many Gods and Goddesses which play an essential role in the lives of the Greeks. They have 12 major Olympian Gods who control different aspects of life on earth. Many gods, such as Zeus, who is the god of the sky, has control over things like weather. The Greeks believed that they played a part in their lives. “They believed that their gods and goddess could interfere in their lives and help them or hurt them.” The gods are the ones to fulfill people’s prayers and to make their lives pleasanter. The gods helped people grow their crops, fall in love, and many other things. All of the gods have magical powers. However, not one of the gods share the same power. The god’s power ranged from earthly powers to mortal. Some gods are shapeshifters and could turn themselves into animals, humans, or anything they desire. The gods would interact with humans because they were a part of their lives. Meaning they would help build the homes for the mortals and rivers for them to obtain drinking water.
Greek religion talked about the following natural phenomena, such as Poseidon creating earthquakes and Helios the sun god, which you see in a chariot riding across the heavenly sky. In stories like these, many more have heroes that have to take on different roles to defeat the horrible creatures. Many of the creatures represent the worldliness of various places. The myths were passed down for many generations. Every story adventure change depending on the storyteller. The personality and power of the god always stay the same. Greek believed that the Gods were similar to them, “This magical world was real-world; at least it was to the ancient Greek people. It was a world full of bickering and fights and wars; and compromise and fear and fun and punishment and love. Many myths are based on the fact that gods, like mortal men, could be punished or rewarded for their actions.” Fables were able to catechize people about the causes of unexplained things such as death and illnesses. Tales interpret where humanity came from and what was going to happen after death. There was advice on how to live the best way and live a happy life. The Greeks creative, different way to explain the element of human conditions. “In contrast, many mythological figures represent qualities to be avoided and their sad tales illustrate the dangers of bad behaviour.” Stories were also able to tell the bad things in life and the things they need to avoid.
The arts have been a powerful way for Greeks to become creative. Greeks have told many stories by writing poems, painting stories onto vases, and many other creations. Going even further, around the 8th century BCE, stories were not just delivered verbally. For the first time mythology was able to be expressed in a written format. For instance, Homer’s Iliad recounts the final stages of the Trojan War – perhaps an amalgamation of many conflicts between Greeks and their eastern neighbours in the late Bronze Age (1800-1200 BCE)- and the Odyssey recounts the protracted voyage home of the hero Odysseus following the Trojan War.” Pottery was another piece of art that people would utilize for centuries to tell stories. There are myriads of mythical scenes painted on ceramic plates. These plates consisted of all shapes, sizes; and used for a variety of functions. As stories were placed on ceramics art pieces, they started to spread to a broader audience.
Greeks have many sacred places of worship, which are spread among the town. The temples were for one god only many of the temples were very elaborate. The temples were not a place of worship; they were a place where people could honor their gods. Greeks would go to Scared places to worship their gods Each temple was to display how meaningful the gods are. Temples spread out all around town. Temples have mainly statues depending on which gods temple it is. When people would go to the temple they would bring offerings. The gods were worshipped at sacred sites in many temples in many major Greek communities. They had ceremonies that the priest started.
A ritual for the Greeks was a religious ceremony where people would give offerings such as animals, food, plants, pottery, flowers, and more. Religious practice and sacrifice and pouring of libations were all to the prayers of God. Animals of the same sex were sacrificed and honored. They would cook the animal and offer it to the gods. They would eat the rest of the animal sometime and sometimes they would eat the whole animal. “The sacrifice of an animal was carried out according to strict guidelines.” Greek religion was also practiced privately and with their own sacrifices. Not just humans sacrificed animals. The gods would also sacrifice their kids and other things.
Sacred sites were a momentous part of greek lives. “Sacred sites were located all over the place. Sites held a simple altar at which the ancient Greeks could pray. Some sacred sites became so popular, for whatever reason, that a temple was built on the site.” Greeks would stop by the sacred sites every day. They would go to pray to a certain god. Sacred spots were different then temple sacred spots were where people could pray. Greeks did not believe that the gods lived at the temple or the sacred sight they believed that they lived in Mount Olympus. While at sacred spots greek will give offerings to show their honor to their god. Greeks usually pray at home in their court year. They believe that these places have magical power and the gods were able to hear their prayers. “ The Greeks also believed they could ask for help and advice through an oracle. An oracle was a wise woman with the ability to see the future.” Men would go to the sacred site to pray before they were leaving to go to war. There are a few springs that are considered sacred. During the marriages but the baths which the goddess of love Artemis. In the beginning, sacred sites were just an altar in a designated area. Over time the temples were built to be in honor of a particular god. they usually housed a cult state of the deity. There are sacred areas that are separated from the community by a symbolic gate or propylon. Sacred sites always have financial donations and dedications. There are fountains and buildings for which are from the faithful. larger centuries have caretakers that are permanent and are responsible for the upkeep of the site.
There are many social activities and festivals which were a big part of greek life. Festivals were in honor of their gods. During festivals, they would have a parade and a sacrifice. During things such as the Olympic games, they would hold festivals after to celebrate the gods. They also had plays that were held during festivals. These events had many visitors from all over Greece, and are filled with sacred statues. Smaller festivals were only attended by a select few. There are festivals where many people bring things to show and goods for sale, which display their craft and works of tragedy. Some festivals will draw crowds for worshipping. During the end of the festivals, they have a feast to celebrate. “Illustrating their sacred status, warfare was prohibited during these events and pilgrims were guaranteed free-passage across Greece. However, there were also much smaller festivals, sometimes only attended by a very select number of individuals, for instance, the Arrhephoria in Athens, where only priestesses and a maximum of four young girls participated.”
Sporting events and games are another big thing in Greece. Many sporting events such as the Olympics are held for the Gods. There are music competitions that were held. The Olympic games were considered a religious festival that was held in a religious sanctuary. The Greeks believed that their training was a way of honoring the good and if they won it was a favor from a deity.
Play in ancient Greece as a way to get people to come together and watch the stories of the gods. There are major playwrights that have an important role in telling their story. Plays were usually held during festivals and they would retell the famous stories of the god or goddess they are celebrating. “The theatre offered an experience which brought together elements of myth, ritual, religion, dance, music and literature.” Theater made it fun to exchange ideas and escape their everyday lives.”Greek religion had religious rituals too. They would have a drink to thank the god Dionysus. They would also do many plays during the festival of Dionysian which they would worship him.
The significant impacts of Greeks’ morals, traditions, and gatherings were mainly influenced by the Greek gods. By the ethic of the greek gods, people were able to expand their knowledge and become artistic, they were also able to continue rituals of visiting their gods at their temples, and have many social activities to worship their gods. The Gods played an essential part in Greek life and they were apart of everyone’s everyday life.
