The Greek Gods And Its Impact On The Greek Society

“Mythos”- a Greek word meaning “tale” and the origin of the word mythology; according to the dictionary mythology means, a traditional story aiming to explain the meaning of things concerning deities and demigods.

A polytheistic Greek religion is surrounded by numerous gods. Each represented a certain aspect of human problems including abstract ideas, such as justice and wisdom. This was the religion most devout Greeks followed and believed in. The most important gods were Olympian gods led by Zeus. These gods were: Athena, Apollo, Poseidon, Hermes, Hera, Aphrodite, Demeter, Ares, Artemis, Hades, Hephaistos,

When people wonder about Ancient Greece the first thing that comes to their minds is Greek mythology; gods and goddesses that have helped shape many historical events. “In ancient Greece, stories about gods and goddesses and heroes and monsters were an important part of everyday life.” (“Greek Mythology.”) The civilization showed that numerous characters and stories helped shape Greeks. The beliefs the Greeks had with mythologies was they understood the meaning behind all the characters that are known today. However, to the Greeks, they were not just characters, these were their gods and goddesses who gave them meaning and understanding of the world around them. Worshiping the gods and goddesses helped them with their religious rituals and the temperament of the weather. A famous wine-jar that was made during this time period was “Achilles killing the Amazon Queen Penthesilea, 540-530 BCE, black-figured amphora”. (Khan Academy) The civilization that they lived in grew around their worship and achievements.

The Greek gods were thought of as the most powerful forces to ever exist in ancient times. In turn, they played a pivotal role in the Greek people’s lives. Their power and influence over the Greek people is evident in many of the stories in Greek literature. Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, the most powerful Greek gods, each played a part in the story of Antigone by Sophocles.

In this paragraph will be information on Greek Gods and Goddesses. There was a governing body for the Grecians. This mythological group was very important. They were usually the reason for war and many believed that they were so superior that they would bring disease and death upon others that they dislike or the people that would try to out shine them. They were called The Olympians. There were twelve Olympians, however before I name them there actually were 13, but Hestia gave up her position for Dionysus. There was Zeus, Poseidon, Hermes, Hephatus, Hera, Demeter, Aphrodite, Athena, Artimes, Dionysus, Aries (Ares or Aris), and Apollo.” (Greek Gods and Goddesses) There was one other God that is also very important to the Olympians. His name was Hades and he was the God of the Dead. He was not considered an Olympian though because he was always to be in the Underworld. Hades had one day decided that he wanted a partner however

As Hephaestus is notified of Thetis’ arrival, he explores what their relationship has meant to him. Hephaestus recalls that “Thetis saved my life when the mortal pain came on me after my great fall…” (P. 480) After Hephaestus falls out of Zeus’ good graces, Thetis is able to lend her helping hand, displaying the hierarchical dynamic between the gods. The gods are indebted to each other, the likely reason that Hephaestus felt as though he needed to make Thetis the ornate shield. The duty and obligation to each other fuels the mutualistic relationships between the gods. Thetis’ motivation to help Hephaestus was not solely out of kindness; rather Thetis saw the opportunity to make a strategic move and put Hephaestus in her debt, knowing that she very well could use his services in her future. Hephaestus describes the pain that he felt as “mortal pain” signifying a distinction between the discomforts and vulnerability of mortals and gods.

Greeks went to temples to present sacrifices to please the gods or to ask for the judgment of the gods on a problem. Greeks thought the gods had control over a aspect of there life and to get help they had to please the gods. They thought that if the gods were happy good things would happen to them. the Greeks believed that the gods controlled all parts of society.

In the past, many great civilizations were heavily influenced by religion. Their religious beliefs inspired and shaped their art, culture, architecture, and technology, and helped drive their progress forward.

The relationship between gods and mortals in mythology has long been a complicated topic. The gods can be generous and supportive, and also devastating and destructive to any group of humans. Mortals must respect the powers above them that cannot be controlled. The gods rule over destiny, nature, and justice, and need to be recognized and worshipped for the powerful beings as they are. Regardless of one's actions, intentions, and thoughts, the gods in Greek myth have ultimate power and the final decision of justice over nature, mortals, and even each other.

The Anavysos Kouros, created around 530 B.C.E. in the Greek artistic period, depicts the religious aspect of Greece during the Ancient Mediterranean era. Arranged in “polis” (city states), the citizens of Greece followed this pre-dominant method of political organization. Aristocratic rule managed the Greek cities. The extremely urbanized society participated in heavy trade, which allowed the Greek economy to prosper. The religion of Ancient Greece emphasized multiple gods, worship, and afterlife. Thus, the Greeks believed in the existence of many gods and goddesses, which reflected the polytheistic nature of Greece. Zeus served as the king of the gods in the hierarchy of Greek religion and twelve major gods made up the Greek throne, coexisting with many minor gods. Some deities controlled elements of the world such as the sky, or the sea, while others controlled a more abstract aspect such as the hearth. Conclusively, The Greeks believed that the gods took the rituals and sacrifices as a gift as public festivals honored all the gods and hoped it would reap success in their lives. As a result, religion played a large role in the society of Ancient Greece.

Unlike religious gods today, the Greek gods resembled human being in their form and their emotions, and suffered from the same dilemmas humans throughout time have faced. The Greeks believe in many gods and think they are very much like people. They have both supernatural powers and human weaknesses. The gods would fight, play on each other, gets angry or jealous, and steal from each other. The Olympian Gods live atop Mt. Olympus in Greece behind a gate of clouds. They watch the mortals down on earth which they can visit any time, and are responsible for the success or failure of human life. The Greeks worship their gods, pray, give offerings, and build temples to please the gods so they will not give any punishments.

The Greeks were a civilization whose lives were controlled by kings and gods. There were many gods that the Greeks believed in, each of them were prayed for many reasons, blessings, goodwill, war, and help. Athena was one of the many gods that the Greeks prayed to, she was feared for the deed she did to a young woman. She turned this women, Medusa, into a Gorgon. The creature that had snakes for hair, and who could turn people into stone when they looked at her. This deed lead to the Greeks trying to please Athena in various ways.

The Greek gods were also famous for their love in addition to jealousy and vengeance. They took good care of their offspring. “Golden-throned Hera agreed to replace her jealousy with love. As proof of her change of heart, she awarded Heracules her royal daughter, Hebe, as his immortal wife'; (Rosenberg and Baker 235). The Greek gods also took care of those who properly worshipped and respected them. “They were humble and kind, and they respected the deathless gods. Therefore, he was content to let them remain the sole survivors of the great catastrophe'; (Rosenberg and Baker 123). The Greek gods granted wishes and power to those who showed them kindness. Love was just as strong as the other characteristics and it showed that the gods were as kind as they were strict.

Greek Mythology played a monumental role in the structural development of ancient Greece, not only as a society, but as individuals. Surprisingly, their religion was not exactly one of originality. In fact, their religion was loosely based on earlier cultures’ religions. It bears many strikingly similar resemblances to some of the oldest recorded religions in history. Ancient Greek religion is a type of polytheism called “Monarchial Polytheism.” That is, they believe in several different gods and deities but there is a supreme ruler above all of them. In order to fully understand how similar the mythological systems of religions have been throughout the years, you must look back towards the earliest of recorded civilizations. Polytheism

Considering the presence of multiple Gods or to be more precise, presence of a family of Gods in Greek philosophy of religion, it is important to observe how the life in Greece was highly influenced by the presence of Gods having different characters. This segregation had its impacts on the Greek social system as