Religion's Role In Ancient Civilization

As time has progressed, religious scrutiny has expanded. Systems of faith are often written off as fruitless, but religion holds strong purposes. Cultures have religion to explain surroundings, unite individuals, and provide hope.

You’ve all heard the tales of Greek mythology, been exposed to their Gods, like Zeus, Athena or Hades and seen the countless blockbuster movies based upon these very myths. These myths, were once very tightly linked to the religion of the ancient Greeks. Although unfortunately, religious practise wasn’t as dramatic as moviemakers and authors like to depict, but rather, from the beginning of Greek civilisation, religion was an integral aspect within everyday life as it sought to provide an explanation for the occurrences in their world, control the lives of the citizens and regulate all codes of conduct. In order to delve into the world of ancient Greece and understand the culture and daily life more fully, the historical context of the emergence of Greek

Religion in the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia played a significant role in developing and organizing the society. Based on the common belief of the world’s divine creation, both civilizations had regular rituals and ceremonies to honor the supernatural beings. In rituals and ceremonies, the cult was expressed as the manifestation of components that symbolized the divine such as the cult images, temples, and shrines. Since religion was an important aspect in the people’s daily lives, it also had an impact on the ruling system in the two civilizations. Even though Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia have similar foundational beliefs about the cult, different cultic practices imply the difference in the structure and the scope of

In the ancient Greek world, religion was personal, direct, and present in its citizens’ daily lives. During this time, they participated in animal sacrifices and offerings, created myths to explain the beginning of the human race and gave reverence to their gods by building temples which controlled the urban landscape. They also participated in local festivals and sporting and artistic competitions. Religion was never out of the presence of ancient Greece’s citizens. While they may have made up their own mind on the terms of their religious beliefs, some may have been completely confused if these gods actually existed. There were certain fundamental beliefs that must have been sufficiently widespread, in order for the Greek government to function. In ancient Greece, gods existed, they influenced human concerns, and they welcomed and responded to acts of godliness and worship.

Throughout history, religion has been a very important part of all the empires, civilizations, and ages we learn about. Each religion has its own characteristics, texts, deities, and unique symbols that set it apart from others. Religion is more than believing in gods or following an ancient text, it created new civilizations and ideas. For one, religion influenced leaders and well known historical figures throughout world history. Leaders such as monarchs, referred to themselves as representatives to their god(s). Since their god(s) are not physically with them, someone has to step up and represent them. The Hebrew prophet Abraham, is believed to have been spoken to by God and angels. He then became the leader of the well-known religion, Judaism.

Through history, religion has shaped civilizations in several aspects. In ancient Indian and Egyptian civilizations it was very strong shaping force in political structures, but both the religious beliefs and the resulting political system were different, just like pharaohs were different from rajas.

In the ancient Roman world, religion played the most important role in everyday life, as well as in matters of the state. The Romans looked to the gods for political stability and for control of the unexplainable and natural phenomenon. The gods were believed to control all aspects of Roman life, and for that reason, a great deal of importance was placed in the appropriate worship of the gods. Women played an extremely influential role in ancient Roman religion. Not only did they participate in religious rituals, but some even held religious positions as Vestal Virgins.

From the ancient Mesopotamian civilizations to the Muslim world, antiquity has always been filled with religions of all sorts. These religions helped guide how ancient peoples lived life and came about doing even the most common tasks that people like us do today. Religion impacted the civilizations of the ancient world by greatly influencing how peoples of ancient civilizations acted, how they thought about the world around them, how civilizations were organized and maintained, and how they interacted with civilizations of another religion.

Religion is a species-specific human universal phenomenon, complex, full of paradoxes, and found in all cultures. Social scientists and anthropologists since the late 17th century have attempted to rationally answer questions about religion, and while we can't evaluate the veracity of religion’s claims, we can attempt to understand its functions.

Ancient Greek religion consisted of Greek Mythology, Priests, and Temples. Many rituals and city festivals were held to honor their polytheistic gods. These gods were very special to the Greeks and therefore their worlds revolved around them (“Greek Religion”). Greek religion was prominent and was used and found everywhere throughout Ancient Greece. It helped shape the

"In Ancient Greece, religion was personal, direct, and present in all areas of life. With formal rituals, which included animal sacrifices and libations, myths to explain the origins of mankind and give the gods a human face, temples which dominated the urban landscape, city festivals and national sporting and artistic competitions, religion was never far from the mind of an ancient Greek. " For the Greek government and societies to function properly some basics, generally must have been known about e.g.: the gods themselves had existed, and could influence matters in human lives and that they also encouraged and responded to piety and of worship. Greek religion involved a countless number of gods, each symbolising a certain part of human conditions,

All throughout history, religion has played a very important role in ancient societies. It has been a source of guidance and support. It is understood, still to this day, that religion adds to the belief that with faith in some form of religion, people’s lives will be better. Religion is commonly practiced through prayers, mythology, services, and even sacrifices. Religion has played such a large role in ancient societies that depending on the civilization, people would do absolutely anything to ensure that the god or gods were always pleased.

Religion played a significant role in the ancient society of Greece. Spartans were well-known for their devotion and commitment to their Gods and Goddesses, so dedicated that they were mortified by other Greek states. With their violent nature and the death of numerous soldiers, religion had a momentous influence in the attitude of the Spartans toward death and their funerary traditions.

Religion can invade, conquer, and rule masses of people far more effectively and efficiently than any empire or conqueror. This is not to spark a heated discussion about religions. Its purpose is, to say that, even though it is highly debatable whether religions are false or true, most of them serve a very basic purpose of establishing morals and values. Early religions were used as a source of power and economic growth. Even if one doesn’t believe in or agree with the teachings of any religion, history shows proof that it creates a sense of order. There are many religions in the past that have brought order and civilized conduct to large numbers of people, not through military conquest, but through the promise of reward or the fear of punishment. Religion is the glue that binds local communities into nationhood and creates common understandings and shared values that are essential to the growth of a civilization. No religion is fully formed at its start, so why did some religion play such a big role in growth of the Ancient Civilizations.

Through religion, civilizations have been able to unify people under a particular religious idea. It was not necessary for everyone to be religious as long as they identified with the same religion as those around them. Religion is subjective and one of the main ways each civilization created an identity is through the concept of new gods and beliefs. Each civilization had some form of religion and throughout history we see an evolutionary change in religious beliefs. The Hebrews and the Middle Age Christians were monotheistic who believed in one true all powerful God. The Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans were extremely polytheistic who believed in many different gods who all played different roles. These differences in religion helped shape