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How Did Religion Influence Greek Civilization

548 Words3 Pages

Learning Journal

University of the People

HIST 1421-01 Greek and Roman Civilization

Ms. Caitlan Smith, Instructor

April 20, 2023

Ancient Greek civilization, which emerged in the 8th century BCE, was notable for its religious traditions. Religion played a significant role in Greek society and culture, shaping their art, architecture, and social practices. In this paper, we will explore the Greek religion's nature and the influence it had on Greek art and architecture.

Greek Religion

The ancient Greeks were polytheistic, which means that they believed in and worshiped multiple gods and goddesses. The Greeks believed that the gods and goddesses had personalities, desires, and feelings similar to humans. The gods and goddesses …show more content…

Sculptures of the gods and goddesses served as objects of worship, and many Greek pottery and frescoes depicted scenes from Greek mythology. One of the most famous examples of Greek sculpture is the statue of Zeus at Olympia, created by the sculptor Phidias. The statue stood over forty feet tall and was made of ivory and gold. It depicted Zeus sitting on his throne, holding a scepter in one hand and a statue of Nike, the goddess of victory, in the other (Woodford, 1982).

Conclusion, the Greek religion was polytheistic, with the Greeks worshiping various gods and goddesses. The religion influenced Greek art and architecture, which were designed to honor and worship the gods and goddesses. Greek buildings, sculptures, ceramics, and paintings were all made to show gods and goddesses and recount Greek mythology stories. The Greeks thought that by worshiping their gods and goddesses, they may gain their favor and protection, and their art and architecture reflected this idea.

References

Cartwright, M. (2018). Religion in Ancient Greece. Ancient History Encyclopedia. https://www.ancient.eu/article/1163/religion-in-ancient-greece/

Noble, P. (2016). Greek Art and Architecture. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics.

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