Greek religion was polytheistic, meaning the Greeks believed in many gods and goddesses. The Greek gods were anthropomorphic, meaning they were portrayed as human-like in appearance and behavior, with their own personalities, strengths, and weaknesses. Each god had a specific domain or field of influence, and they were often associated with natural phenomena such as thunder, the sea, the sky, and fertility. For example, Zeus was the god of the sky and thunder, Poseidon was the god of the sea, and Demeter was the goddess of agriculture. (Cartwright, 2018)
Greek religion was not a united system of beliefs and practices but was rather a collection of regional cults and traditions that were different from one city-state to another. Each city-state had its own patron idol, who was honored with a temple and public rituals (Adkins, 2023). For example, the city of Athens was dedicated to the goddess Athena, who was believed to be the protector of the city and the patron of wisdom, art, and crafts.
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The gods were also believed to be responsible for natural disasters and other misfortunes, and the Greeks would offer sacrifices and perform rituals to appease them.
Greek art and architecture were heavily influenced by their religious beliefs. Temples and other religious structures were built to honor the gods and goddesses and to provide a sacred space for worship and ritual. Greek temples were designed to be visually impressive and to inspire a sense of awe and reverence in the worshipper. They were typically built on elevated sites and were oriented towards the east to face the rising sun, which was associated with the birth of the gods and the beginning of a new