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Greek Religion: Monotheistic Or Polytheistic?

677 Words3 Pages

Introduction

Greek religion was a central part of ancient Greek society and culture. Ancient Greek society and culture were deeply rooted in religion, and the beliefs of the people had a significant impact on many facets of daily life, including art, architecture, and social mores. The Greeks were known for their worship of a pantheon of gods and goddesses. The Greeks were polytheists, which means they believed in several gods, each of whom had unique attributes and responsibilities.

Greek Religion was Monotheistic or Polytheistic?

The Greek religion was polytheistic, which means the belief in and worship of multiple gods and goddesses. Greek mythology is filled with stories of gods and goddesses who ruled over various aspects of life, including …show more content…

Firstly, many cultures, such as the Minoans and the Mycenaeans, had an impact on how the Greek religion developed over time. These societies also practiced polytheistic faiths, which probably affected Greek thought. Secondly, the Greeks thought that these gods and goddesses had power over various facets of life, and also considered the world as being full of gods and goddesses. Therefore, to gain the favor of these gods and goddesses, it was required to worship and make sacrifices to them (Tridimas, …show more content…

Greek mythology's gods and goddesses were honored by many of the most well-known sculptures and structures in the ancient world. For instance, Greek temples were built to hold statues of the gods and goddesses, many of which were thought to be the actual embodiments of the deities they represented.

One of the most famous examples of Greek art influenced by religion is the Parthenon, which is perhaps the most famous temple in the world. The goddess of war and wisdom Athena was revered by the construction of the Parthenon in Athens in the fifth century BCE. In addition to honoring the goddess, the temple was made to be a representation of Athens' wealth and strength. The temple, which still stands as one of the most significant specimens of Greek architecture in the world, was embellished with sculptures and reliefs that showed Athena and other gods and goddesses (Brewminate, 2017).

Additionally, another example of Greek art influenced by religion is the statue of Zeus at Olympia. The legendary artist Phidias produced this statue, which was almost 40 feet tall and composed completely of gold and ivory. Zeus, the ruler of the gods, was seen in the statue holding a scepter and a thunderbolt while sitting on a throne. The statue was installed in a temple in Olympia, where it was regarded as one of the greatest ancient pieces of art (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica,

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