Ancient Greek Religion
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The Greeks believed in many gods and goddesses who would watch over them and reward or punish them for their deeds.
Origins
The Greek mythology came from the earlier Mycenaean religion. This is a polytheistic religion, which means that they believe in many gods. The people believed in this religion because they were trying to explain the strange things that existed, like lightning. They believed something so amazing could only be the work of a god.
Origins
The Greek mythology came from the earlier Mycenaean religion. This is a polytheistic religion, which means that they believe in many gods. The people believed in this religion because they were trying to explain the strange things that existed, like lightning. They believed something so amazing could only be the work of a god.
There were twelve main Olympian gods and goddesses, who lived on Mount Olympus (a city up in the sky). They weren't the only ones, the people believed in other gods and goddesses but mainly prayed and sacrificed to the Olympian ones.
The Olympian gods and goddesses were:
1. Zeus (ruled over the sky)
2. Poseidon (ruled over the sea and earthquakes)
3. Hera (goddess of marriage and family)
4. Athena (goddess of battle strategy and wisdom)
5. Apollo (god of music, poetry and drove the sun across the sky)
6. Artemis (goddess of hunting)
7. Ares (god of war)
8. Aphrodite (goddess of love)
9. Hermes (god of messengers)
10. Demeter (goddess of grains and agriculture)
11. Dionysus (god of grapes and wine, Hestia became a minor god
12. Hephaestus (god of fire and blacksmiths)
Most gods and goddesses were siblings, sisters and brothers, but some are children of other gods. The three rulers were Zeus, Poseidon and Hades even though Hades wasn't an Olympian. Zeus was king of the gods, controlled the sky, lightning and thunder and married his sister Hera, queen of the gods. His brother, Poseidon, ruled over the sea, and earthquakes. The final brother was Hades, who ruled the underworld and was least liked by the Olympian gods.
The Olympian gods and goddesses were:
1. Zeus (ruled over the sky)
2. Poseidon (ruled over the sea and earthquakes)
3. Hera (goddess of marriage and family)
4. Athena (goddess of battle strategy and wisdom)
5. Apollo (god of music, poetry and drove the sun across the sky)
6. Artemis (goddess of hunting)
7. Ares (god of war)
8. Aphrodite (goddess of love)
9. Hermes (god of messengers)
10. Demeter (goddess of grains and agriculture)
11. Dionysus (god of grapes and wine, Hestia became a minor god
12. Hephaestus (god of fire and blacksmiths)
Most gods and goddesses were siblings, sisters and brothers, but some are children of other gods. The three rulers were Zeus, Poseidon and Hades even though Hades wasn't an Olympian. Zeus was king of the gods, controlled the sky, lightning and thunder and married his sister Hera, queen of the gods. His brother, Poseidon, ruled over the sea, and earthquakes. The final brother was Hades, who ruled the underworld and was least liked by the Olympian gods.
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Priests and leaders:
Any one could be a priest. When someone was a priest, especially when they were wearing the sacred head band, they would be more connected to a god than anyone else. Usually, each priest would serve one of the gods. Women could be priests, even though they weren't aloud to be any other form of leader.
Any one could be a priest. When someone was a priest, especially when they were wearing the sacred head band, they would be more connected to a god than anyone else. Usually, each priest would serve one of the gods. Women could be priests, even though they weren't aloud to be any other form of leader.
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/1/4/22141058/347818.jpg)
Sacrifices and prayers:
There were several ways that people would honor a god. People usually favored one or two particular gods. One way to honor the gods was to build temples for them. People also left food or other items on a goddess or god's temple Another way people would sacrifice to a god was to burn part of an animal, usually a goat, while praying to a particular god they wanted to honor or respect. Then the person would eat the rest of the goat, this sacrifice could also be done at the god's temple.
There were several ways that people would honor a god. People usually favored one or two particular gods. One way to honor the gods was to build temples for them. People also left food or other items on a goddess or god's temple Another way people would sacrifice to a god was to burn part of an animal, usually a goat, while praying to a particular god they wanted to honor or respect. Then the person would eat the rest of the goat, this sacrifice could also be done at the god's temple.
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/1/4/22141058/1565134.png)
Festivals and ceremonies:
There were some festivals that were held for one god or goddess in particular. Some ceremonies we have today came from this religion and were originally made to honor a god. One of those event is the Olympic games which celebrated Zeus.
There were some festivals that were held for one god or goddess in particular. Some ceremonies we have today came from this religion and were originally made to honor a god. One of those event is the Olympic games which celebrated Zeus.
![Picture](/uploads/2/2/1/4/22141058/7112608.jpg)
The afterlife:
The Greeks believed that the dead would go to the underworld when they died. When they arrived, they were judged by Rhadamanthys, Minos & Aiakosa, who were sons of Zeus. The three men where chosen to be the judges after death, as a reward for making laws on earth. If the judges decided you had not behaved well in your life you would be sent to Tartarus and punished. Otherwise you would be sent to Elysium, the land of the Blessed.
The Greeks believed that the dead would go to the underworld when they died. When they arrived, they were judged by Rhadamanthys, Minos & Aiakosa, who were sons of Zeus. The three men where chosen to be the judges after death, as a reward for making laws on earth. If the judges decided you had not behaved well in your life you would be sent to Tartarus and punished. Otherwise you would be sent to Elysium, the land of the Blessed.
Below is a 2 page pamphlet about the ancient Greek religion. It is a condensed version of the information above for easy printing.
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pamphlet_greek.pdf | |
File Size: | 1665 kb |
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The Greek monsters
The enemies of the Greek heroes
and gods were:
Medusa (The one who looked at her would become a stone. She was killed by Perseus),
Hydra (Hydra was a gigantic dragon breathing poison. Every time one head was cut of two others grew on it’s place),
The minotaur (The minotaur was a monster who ate people. He had a head of a bull and was kept in a maze on the island of Crete),
Cerberus (Cerberus was a strong three headed dog guarding the entrance to the underground. He was kidnapped by Hercules).
The enemies of the Greek heroes
and gods were:
Medusa (The one who looked at her would become a stone. She was killed by Perseus),
Hydra (Hydra was a gigantic dragon breathing poison. Every time one head was cut of two others grew on it’s place),
The minotaur (The minotaur was a monster who ate people. He had a head of a bull and was kept in a maze on the island of Crete),
Cerberus (Cerberus was a strong three headed dog guarding the entrance to the underground. He was kidnapped by Hercules).