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Similarities Between Greek Gods And Goddesses

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Ancient polytheistic societies incorporated religious ideas which involved a plethora of gods and goddesses, of which many were linked to certain human appeals or sacrifices. Similarities between various groups such as Roman, Greek, and other Near Eastern deities typified the universal ideology that gods and goddesses controlled the world and were often associated with elemental forces as well as fertility and love (Damrosch & Pike, 2009, p. 17-18). Appealing to goddesses for crops and provisions was a common characteristic of people during ancient times since it was commonly believed that the continuance of life and avoidance of disfavor depended on the goddesses’ connective interactions with humanity. As noted in both Egyptian and Babylonian …show more content…

Although also capable of vengefulness and cruelty, the mother-goddesses such as Ishtar and Inanna were viewed as more kindly disposed towards humans (n.d., para. 4). The gods had conferences if they were at odds with each other regarding a human experience such as in The Epic of Gilgamesh when Enlil and Shamash were in disagreement whether Enkidu or Gilgamesh should die after the Bull of Heaven and Humbaba were killed (Damrosch et al., 2009, p. 79). Although each god may have had different focuses or concerns, there were occasions when a particular god caused a particular petulance to occur. Regret, fear, and sadness were thought to be felt by the gods such as in The Epic of Gilgamesh when the gods were frightened by the flood and regretted their involvement during the Assembly (Damrosch et al., 2009, p. 93). Believing that the gods determined destiny, life, and death, humans would offer sacrifices of incense and animals to encourage abundant harvests and fortification. Ongoing communication with gods was an elemental part of the lives of humans with pleas for guidance, direction, and compassion especially when the humans disobeyed or felt anguish. Most humans believed that they were created for the benefit of the deities and were at the mercy of the gods. This acceptance and belief system caused humans to seek continuously to please the deities in order to maintain protection and secure a good fortune and

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