How it Relates to Greek Religion and Culture Essay

Ancient classics believed in a series of myths, which explained nature, set the example code for the classical spate, and some were just now entertaining stories. These myths turned the Hellenic comeledge do of import from a world of fear into a world of wondrous beauty. M each of these gods and goddesses were associated with a p deviceicular task or application (Buxton). The Hellenic the great unwashed believed that the gods were incorporated into all(prenominal) aspect of their lives. The Ancient classicals, creation a polytheistic culture, created galore(postnominal) a nonher(prenominal) extravagant myths regarding 12 gods and goddesses that they believed to rule all aspects of their lives.These myths were an early science. They were the will of the Greeks trying to explain the world near them. The Greek heap created their gods in their induce image, naturally making heaven an sweet and old(prenominal) place (Hamilton). In Greek mythology the Gods did not cre ate the humans, just now instead, the universe created the gods. The mythology of the people of Greece begins with Homer in the Iliad and the Odyssey. It is in these epic poems that Homer tells the stories of the many an(prenominal) gods and hired guns of Greece. We now know who and what the Greek gods were, just now how be they relevant to the Greek godliness?It is classic to know that the Greeks did not wealthy person a word for righteousness. similarly they did not have any scripted text or scripture. When we talk somewhat Greek pietism we mean their rite behaviors and their beliefs in unnameable items, beings, and places (Cline). We also must(prenominal) remember that Greek mythology is not the equal as Greek piety, though they ar closely intertwined. The hardly requirement of the Greeks for their religion was to believe in the gods and perform leaves to them. These sacred acts, sacrifice and festivals, were the root of the Greek religion (Buxton).This see ms to be a rather restful agency to carry on in life, save not so. The Greeks attributed anything good misfortune to the gods being happy with them, also when something fully grown happened, for example, an e artistic productionhquake, famine, or the loss of a battle, it was attributed to the gods being dis enlivend with the Greeks (Ancient Greece). The Ancient Greeks were an extremely religious people, who spent their lives trying to cheer the gods through their sacrifice, festivals, and unwavering belief in them. Sacrifice was one of the ab let out important meanss to please the gods they werethought to be gifts to the gods. The people of Greece would give a sacrifice not exclusively of animals, but also bloodless sacrifices, such as food, grasses, grains, and scent (Christman). Each city had a temple erected to their patron god. In Athens they had construct the Acropolis, with its main temple being the Parthenon, which was sanctified to genus Athene (which whom At hens was named after). Athena was genus genus Zeuss daughter, and it is said in the myths that she was natural from his head. Athena is known as the Goddess of struggle and the withstander of the towns. She is usually shown in art dressed in full armor. too associated with her is Nike the symbol of victory (Hamilton). These temples were not for worship, but they were believed to house the gods for which the temple was built. The only people who were allowed inside were the priests and priestesses, and that was only to keep it brush and take care of the gods statue (Ancient Greece). The focus of the temple was no only the god or goddess but the sacrificial manipulate. Each temple had an alter outside for the worshipers to place their offerings. The sacrifices the Greeks made to their gods were their way of ensuring that they would be allowed to lead a habitual happy life.The Greeks also took bulge out in religious festivals and for further reassurance of their attractive the gods went to oracles. We know that the Greek people participated in many religious festivals, but the details of these festivals are unbeknown(predicate). The main festival that the Greeks partook in was the prodigious games, in value of Zeus. Zeus was the most powerful of all the gods, his power totally was greater than all of the other gods combined. He was the God of the Sky, bearing his thunderbolt, at which he would throw to earth striking anywhere he wished. His faults, however, entertain the idea that he is a man.Zeus is portrayed as falling in love with many women and trying to hide his infidelity from his married woman Hera (Hamilton). The Olympic game festival occurred e rattling fourth summer. Throughout Greece a truce was proclaimed so that all Greek citizens could come and participate (Greek Religion). The exception to this was women, they not only could not participate, but they could not point find out (Buxton). The Olympic games were held at the Stadium of Ol ympia, and the main event was the pentathlon, where the participants competed in five various events. This arena was also the very commencement ceremony monument of Greek Classical art (Kleiner).Another part of the Greek religion was the oracles. The most famous oracle was the prophesier of Delphi. The oracles were believed to be the messengers of the gods. But not any normal person could understand their messages, only the priests and priestesses could. The Greeks believed that the gods spoke in riddles, because the gods were more interwoven than the humans, and so the could not reply as the humans did (Ancient Greece). The festivals and the oracles were an important part of the Greek life. The Greek gods even free-base a place in the effortless life of a Greek citizen.Hestia, Zeuss sister. She plays no part in the myths but was very important to the Greeks. She was the Goddess of the Hearth. any home in Greece had a ingleside dedicated to her where the fire was not allowed out go out, along with each city (Hunt). When a new town was founded the people would light a torch from the render town and carry its fire to the home in the new town. Sound familiar this is the proposed beginning of the Olympic torch. likewise, when a electric shaver was born the family had to walk the newborn youngster around the hearth before it was to be accepted into the family (Hamilton).Also, according to Hunt, boys were trained to have healthy strong bodies, not only to fight in the armies, but to be strong competitors in the Olympic games. Boys and girls were taught from very early ages about the gods and goddesses. They were taught how to respect and please them in their daily lives (The Ancient Greeks). Also most Greeks made some choose of sacrifice to the gods daily. This was to try and keep the gods happy and bring good fortune to themselves. in that location were many different ways that the people of Greece tried to keep the thought of their gods surrender i n their daily lives.Religion impinged on the warfare of the city-states in a physical body of ways. The commanders frequently saw themselves as manner of walking in the footsteps of their gods and heroic predecessors (Buxton). No where in the Greek city-states did they go into battle without primary sacrificing. To do this was unthinkable. The soldiers of Greece usually sacrificed to either Ares or Athena. Ares was the God of War, but isnt mentioned overmuch in the myths. He has no typical attributes and is difficult to identify in art. Hamilton says this is belike because the Greeks thought of him as hateful.Again, Athena is known as the Goddess of war and the defender of the towns. But then on the opposition end was the observation of Aphrodite, who was the Goddess of Love and Beauty, but also revered for pleasure and procreation. Women of the towns and city-states would honor and sacrifice to Aphrodite, to ensure the safe legal transfer of a baby, or to be pleasing to the ir future husbands (Atsma). I Greece all marriages were arranged to keep or raise a familys social status, so many brides did not ever meet their husbands-to-be until the espousals day. Whatever men or women did in their daily activities was relevant to the influence of the gods.The Greek mythology played an important role in the every day lives of the Greek people, and even more important one in the development of their religion. Greek mythology was a way for the people of Greece to explain the whys and hows of their world. Their religion and their mythology were very closely intertwined. This was shown through their various ways of honoring their gods through festivals, sacrifice, and using the oracles. Also through the passing of the beliefs from one generation to the next. The sizeableness of the gods was shown in their magnificent temples also.These Myths for the Greeks changed their world from the unknown to kind and beautiful. Works Cited Ancient Greece. Microsoft Encarta Online cyclopaedia 2008. Sept. 14, 2008. . Atsma, Aaron J. Theoi Greek Mythology Exploring Mythology in Classical lit and Art. The Theoi Project. 2008. Sept. 14, 2008. . Buxton, Richard. Ancient Greece. Ed. Paul Cartledge. United Kingdom. Cambridge University Press, 1998. Christman, Zachary and Alfred Hanssen. Greek Religion Religion and Death. 2002. University of Pennsylvania Museum of archaeology and Anthropology. Sept. 14, 2008.. Cline, Austin. Ancient Greek Mythology, Religion, Art Sept. 14, 2008. . Greek Religion. Encyclopedia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Sept. 21, 2008. . Hamilton, Edith. Mythology. New York. blanket Bay Books, 1942. Hunt, Dr. Patricia. Roles of Men, Women, and Children. Richmond University. Sept. 16, 2008. . Kleiner, Fred and Christian Mamiya. Gardners Art Through the Ages. 12th ed. al-Quran 1. California. Wadsworth/Thompson Learning, 2005. The Ancient Greeks. 2002. Sept. 16, 2008. . Wilkinson, Philip. Dictionary of Mythology. N ew York. DK Publishing, 1998.