Greek Religion

A detailed Summary of Greek Religion


In its simplest form Greek religion means the worship of the Mount Olympian deities (gods or goddess') whose king Zeus resided among the peaks of Mount Olympus. Each deity had several different attributes. Thus Apollo was the god of light and music; Athena was the goddess of wisdom and war, and also patroness of Athens. The reality of Greek religion was, however, more complicated, since many other deities also existed, many of whom became identified with the Olympians. Greek religion for people of long ago was the worship of a god or gods. Religion in itself played a very important role in the lives of Greek people and had many different styles in which the worshipers could practice.

This was made possible by what is known as syncretism, which in it's simplest definition means: a combination of different forms of belief or practice, or the "fusion of cults" (Westerdale 14). The Greeks had no word for religion nor any vocational priesthood. Nevertheless Greek religion was pervasive, playing a part in almost every activity of, polis or city - state.

A principle form of Greek worship was sacrifice. This form of religious worship much of the time consisted of some gifts, often "t


The darker side of Greek religion is reflected in beliefs in witchcraft and curses. Many cursed tablets, known as katadesmoi, have been discovered, each bearing a name and the hope that some disaster might befall the named person. There was also a belief in ghosts. Unburied souls were said to wander the earth in a kind of limbo, and according to Plato, "people who were rich on earth might not die properly because of their attachment to their riches" (Moncrieff 88).

In this day and age one may find it a somewhat strange phenomenon to even comprehend the lengths that the ancient Greeks would go in the name of faith. Religion and the worshipping of gods was important to the Greeks of the ancient times because it was their belief that this practice would enrich their lives and help them in the after life following death. Although no evidence was ever found to support these beliefs, Religion at that time could be chalked up as a type of tool having been used in a sense as a guide for all to live and prosper. One can definitely appreciate the dedication and devotion that went into ancient Greek religion so it can be said that no matter where or how religion is practiced it is the opiate of people.



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Category: Miscellaneous

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