Ancient Greek Religion Essay

Women acted as priestesses, made official decisions in and amongst the community, and were responsible for organizing commune functions (Witcombe 10). These responsibilities and duties were not often jobs of men in Minoan civilization, “Moreover men are rarely seen in commanding positions, despite attempts to identify them in such positions” (Witcombe 10). It is suggested that the reason why women played such a huge role in Minoan civilization was due to the fact that in Minoan religion they worshiped goddesses and they were greatly influenced by them. It is believed that The Snake Goddess was an important figure in Crete at this time, and was worshiped along side of the Huntress, and The Mountain Mother. Mainly focusing on The Snake Goddess she represented a strong, powerful female deity, who overall acted as an icon for women. The influence The Snake Goddess had on women was substantial. Women became more than just members of the community, and gained a place in society. It was no longer a man’s world but a world run by women. Even ancient frescoes and other forms of Minoan artwork provide evidence of women being more vital than men, because depictions of women were more common than men (Witcombe 10). After examining women’s key roles in Minoan civilization it becomes apparent that The Snake Goddess influenced women in Crete in many different ways and played a significant part in Minoan civilization.

The ancient Greeks thought the gods affected everything. They believed that Mount Olympus was where the gods lived, earthquakes were a message from the gods, and their first olive tree was a gift from Athena. Mount Olympus was assumed to be home to the gods because the mountain rises 9,570 feet in the air. The entrance to Olympus was a “...great gate of clouds, kept by the Seasons.” (Document 2) Another important geographic feature the Greeks made into a religious belief was the landscape and environment. Greece is “...smack-dab in the middle of a very active volcanic zone,” (Document 3) so the Greeks formed a religion called oracles, and the belief was “Oracles are the gods speaking to people, often in the form of minor earthquakes,” (Document

The Mycenaen civilization was developed by the first Greek culture suddenly around 1600 B.C.E. The only records kept of this civilization were of trade and economy, as we know little about the political system and their society.

In “Greek Religion”, Walter Burkert informs his readers mostly about the Greeks’ religious beliefs. In section one, Burkert begins to discuss the history of the Early Bronze Age, such as the vocabulary of Indo-European and the religion of the Minoan-Mycenaeans. He mentions the different cult places which include: caves, temples, graves, as well as peak, tree, and house sanctuaries. For example, a cult includes the Minoan Tree and Pillar Cult; the pillars and trees were sacred, however, they were not worshipped. He also goes on to explain about Minoan Deities, Mycenaean Gods and Linear B, and the ‘Dark Age’; he talks about the evidence that exists of Linear A and Linear B, such as the tablets recovered from Crete and Knossos. In section two, Burkert describes the different kinds of rituals and symbols; the bull was a type of symbol from the Hellenistic tradition, and there were festivals that celebrated the bull itself. Different kinds of rituals Burkert explains include: animal sacrifice, blood and fire rituals, gift offering and libation, votive offerings, prayer, dancing, hymns, masks, festivals, and purification. The Anthesteria Festival is described in depth, such as that it occurred in the springtime for three days; additionally, the reason for the festival is described. Burkert mentions different types of sanctuaries like the altar and the temple. Also, “Greek Religion” describes certain philosophers’ outlook toward religion. In section three, he focuses his attention

As an island civilization, the peace-loving Minoans focused almost solely on trade. However, the Mycenaeans were were concerned with warfare and advanced their civilizations through conquest, as well as trade. This is evident in their architectures, as the high walls and narrow passages of Mycenaean architecture appear to be more defensive than aesthetic nature. Furthermore, their home city state was constructed upon a large mountain, aiding the defensive nature of the civilization. Also, their art often depicts forms of warfare, The Warrior Vase and the lion hunt dagger for instance. On the other hand, the Minoans had very open architecture, especially the Palace at Knossos. Moreover, most of the Minoan art depicts different animals and creatures of the sea, as well as people acting to further life, rather than take

It is expressed that there were special rooms in the palace set aside as shrines for ritual purposes. Specifically, the common religious symbol was the double axe. Cult figurines were also apparent; these were formed from terracotta clay, where several of these revealed goddess’s dressed in Minoan fashion, holding a snake in either hand. Mycenaean’s held cult festivals annually, in which they worshiped the deity (Minoancivilisation n.d.). The website explains that the King of Knossos influenced the Minoan society and their religious beliefs, as he was related to Zeus. Derived from this are multiple implicit values. For one, it is quite evident that the Minoans religion was elaborate, communicating that they were extremely dedicated to their beliefs and morals. In addition to this, it is also suggested that they were a society that was easily manipulated as exemplified through the influence of the king. Similarly, Cottrell, an ancient archaeology based author, details that archaeologists discovered ancient crypts, which were dark underground chambers. These locations served for the purpose of holding mysterious religious practices, known as earth-worship. This was often inscribed with the sign of the double axe. It is also communicated that the double axe was a powerful symbol that was used as a ritual instrument for the sacrifice of the bull. Gained from

Religion played a significant role in the daily lives of the Minoans. There are no scriptures or book of prayers to support the existence of Minoan religions except for artifacts and motifs discovered in caves. It appears that Minoan society was a female dominated culture as evidence by the number of women in palace frescoes and figurines goddesses found in Cretan sites (Martin, 1996). The Cretans were polytheistic who worshipped many goddesses. Evidence found in excavated sites suggested that Cretans built sanctuaries in caves, mountain tops, palaces, and villages where they worshipped during which they offered animal and other goods as part of their rituals. Some evidence suggested that the Minoans may have performed human sacrifices. Minoan

They were used in making items like war equipment. Also, the figure of warriors clearly reveals that at the period the warriors were highly respected. Outstanding warriors were very significant at they were honored with decent burials. Last, the tombs are significant in revealing the utensils used during the Minoan times (Hitchock n.pag.). Distinctive Features In examining the Minoan architecture, on can clearly observe certain features that are striking and make the period distinct. Ideally, the Minoan civilization was very unique particularly in identifying the European

In order to explain the influence the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures had on the later Greeks it is important to understand the beginnings of Greek culture. The first known civilization of Greek culture were the Minoans, consequently, there is not a lot of information about this group (The Flow of History, 2007). The language used by the Minoans is referred to as Linear A, the language is said to have been the foundation for later Greek language. The Mycenaeans broadened the Linear A language to make it their own, it is known as Linear B.

Minoan art provides insight into the culture that flourished during the Bronze age in Crete during 1900 BCE to 1375 BCE. The art of the Minoans convey a society of joyous nature, being in touch with their environment, and in awe of the order of the natural world. Above all, the artifacts reveal a society who had developed a high degree of self-respect and a keen eye for observing and adapting to their physical environment. Art reached its pinnacle point during the late Minoan period. They created the greatest legacy of the art; that art was used be used for art’s sake, splendor.

Religion was in the Ancient Greeks everyday lives, the Ancient Greeks believed in many different gods and goddesses. There was a god for almost every aspect of their lives. Religion was important to the ancient Greeks because as I said in the introduction paragraph they believed that it would make their lives better and also believed that the gods would lead them to a happy afterlife when they died. Festivals and parties were held in honor of the gods. Parents sometimes told stories about the gods to their children to teach them what’s right and wrong and how to live a good life by pleasing the gods.

“…many activities, and artistic products revolved around religious cult.”(Minoan Culture). It is theorized that women were thought highly of in the Minoan culture due to depictions of women in powerful poses in their art. They also worshiped a goddess of nature, and had high priestesses perform religious rituals, and celebrations. These rituals took place in caves, mountain peaks, in palaces, and in villas. These religious rituals often called for sacrifices whether it be an animal, personal possessions, and even human lives. These religious celebrations also included music, and

The antediluvian Greek Mythology’s roots can be traced back to the Mycenaean Age. This mythology was basically an amalgamation of the myths and the teachings which were actually the threshold for the pillars of ancient Greeks’ traditions and theology. And their main focus used to be the gods, goddesses, their heroes and along with all this, the perception with which they use to observe the world and its genesis, by focusing on their beliefs and

The Minoan soared form around the time of 2600 BCE to 110 BCE and their culture was unfortunately not that well documented by writings, but they were vastly into arts. The arts which they had painted on their walls (mostly women), along with small statues of women and painted vases and mosaics that were able to tell us about their life style and who they worshipped. The archeologists and anthropologist that study humans and culture believe that peoples’ religions are in a

The Greeks utilized many of the cultural aspects of the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations long after the two cultures were gone. The Minoan culture created a syllabic writing system called a Linear A and although no one else could read the writing it did evolve. Moreover, the Mycenaean’s modified the Linear A writing into a form of Greek language which was written on Linear B tablets. The Linear B tablets were the first written records of language that carried over later among the Greeks (Matthews, Noble, & Platt, 2014). In addition, the religious beliefs, mythical, and political ideas which dates back to the Mycenaean period were also aspects that lived on in the Greek culture. “The surviving elements of Mycenaean culture blended with the