Religion of the GreeksReligion of the Greeks

Class ObjectiveClass Objective

We will understand how the Greeks tried to We will understand how the Greeks tried to explain events in their world through explain events in their world through mythology. mythology.

Origins of Greek ReligionOrigins of Greek Religion

The Greeks based their The Greeks based their Gods on the gods of other Gods on the gods of other civilizations.civilizations.

They had a very They had a very polytheistic religion.polytheistic religion.

They believed that the They believed that the gods had a role in the gods had a role in the natural world and human natural world and human affairs.affairs.

Greek Gods were Greek Gods were similar to humans in similar to humans in appearance and appearance and character except for character except for their immortality.their immortality.

Some gods were Some gods were thought to be superior thought to be superior to others.to others.

The Greek gods lived The Greek gods lived close to the Greek close to the Greek civilizations. They lived civilizations. They lived on Mount Olympus. The on Mount Olympus. The tallest mountain in the tallest mountain in the main body of Greece.main body of Greece.

The gods lived at the The gods lived at the very top above the very top above the clouds.clouds.

The head of all of the The head of all of the gods was Zeus, who gods was Zeus, who had control over had control over lightning.lightning.

These gods were These gods were usually perfect in all usually perfect in all physical forms.physical forms.

They all had their own They all had their own human characteristics human characteristics and faults.and faults.

ZeusZeus

Unlike some of the Unlike some of the other civilizations we other civilizations we have discussed, the have discussed, the Greek Gods took an Greek Gods took an active role in humans active role in humans everyday life.everyday life.

Zeus was the patriarch Zeus was the patriarch of the family of the of the family of the gods.gods.

HeraHera

Hera was the Hera was the matriarch of the matriarch of the family of the gods.family of the gods.

She was very jealous.She was very jealous.

PoseidonPoseidon

Poseidon- Zeus’ Poseidon- Zeus’ brother lord of the seabrother lord of the sea

HadesHades

Hades- Zeus’ brother Hades- Zeus’ brother lord of the under worldlord of the under world

AthenaAthena

Athena- Daughter of Athena- Daughter of Zeus, noted for her Zeus, noted for her wisdom, and lord over wisdom, and lord over AthensAthens

Athena born from head of ZeusAthena born from head of Zeus

ApolloApollo

Apollo- Associated Apollo- Associated with the sun, poetry, with the sun, poetry, music.music.

ArtemisArtemis

Artemis- God of the Artemis- God of the hunt.hunt.

AresAres

Ares- God of WarAres- God of War

AphroditeAphrodite

Aphrodite- goddess of Aphrodite- goddess of beauty and love.beauty and love.– Cupid the child of Cupid the child of

Aphrodite and Ares.Aphrodite and Ares.

HermesHermes

Hermes- messenger of the gods.Hermes- messenger of the gods.

Priests and OraclesPriests and Oracles

The Greeks did not have or need churches.The Greeks did not have or need churches.

They relied on Priests and Oracles to speak They relied on Priests and Oracles to speak and make sacrifices to the gods.and make sacrifices to the gods.

The priest and oracles would leave gifts of The priest and oracles would leave gifts of all sorts to the gods.all sorts to the gods.

Temple of ConcordTemple of Concord

Some of these priests said that they could Some of these priests said that they could see the future by interpreting signs for the see the future by interpreting signs for the gods.gods.