Religion of the ancient Greeks

What We Know Greeks were deeply religious Greeks were deeply religious Polytheistic Polytheistic Each polis under protection of at least one god or goddess (Athens – Athena) Each polis under protection of at least one god or goddess (Athens – Athena) Decorated temples, public places, and most art objects with religious pictures Decorated temples, public places, and most art objects with religious pictures

The gods Had a humanlike appearance Had a humanlike appearance Each controlled aspects of daily life, almost always connected with nature Each controlled aspects of daily life, almost always connected with nature Half-gods and monsters also existed Half-gods and monsters also existed Humans must please the gods to attain peace and prosperity Humans must please the gods to attain peace and prosperity

Origin Myth In the beginning the universe had no logic or order In the beginning the universe had no logic or order Chaos, the first god, created order in the universe and made Gaea (Mother Earth) Chaos, the first god, created order in the universe and made Gaea (Mother Earth) Gaea had a son named Uranus (the sky), he had no father Gaea had a son named Uranus (the sky), he had no father Gaea and Uranus had children who became known as the Titans Gaea and Uranus had children who became known as the Titans

The Titans 6 males and 6 females 6 males and 6 females Cronus and Rhea Cronus and Rhea Lapetus and Themis Lapetus and Themis Oceanus and Tethys Oceanus and Tethys Hyperion and Theia Hyperion and Theia Crius and Mnemosyne Crius and Mnemosyne Coeus and Phoebe Coeus and Phoebe

Cronus and Rhea Cronus was the youngest Titan Cronus was the youngest Titan He castrated his dad (Uranus) and became ruler of the gods He castrated his dad (Uranus) and became ruler of the gods The other titans became part of his court The other titans became part of his court Cronus and Rhea have many children who become known as the Olympians Cronus and Rhea have many children who become known as the Olympians One child, Zeus, fights with Cronus for control over the Universe One child, Zeus, fights with Cronus for control over the Universe Zeus eventually defeated Cronus and became the chief Greek god Zeus eventually defeated Cronus and became the chief Greek god

The simplified Greek family tree

Zeus Defeated Cronus to become Chief god Defeated Cronus to become Chief god Had many lovers, including his siblings and children Had many lovers, including his siblings and children Shared the world with Poseidon and Hades Shared the world with Poseidon and Hades Zeus rules the sky and the air Zeus rules the sky and the air

Athena Daughter of Zeus, sprang from his head Daughter of Zeus, sprang from his head Goddess of wisdom, crafts, war Goddess of wisdom, crafts, war Helped many Greek heroes, including Odysseus and Jason Helped many Greek heroes, including Odysseus and Jason Chief goddess of Athens Chief goddess of Athens

Apollo Son of Zeus Son of Zeus God of light, medicine and healing; god of plague; god of music and poetry God of light, medicine and healing; god of plague; god of music and poetry Archer, both aided and hindered Greeks in war Archer, both aided and hindered Greeks in war One of the most complex Greek gods One of the most complex Greek gods

Artemis Daughter of Zeus, twin sister of Apollo Daughter of Zeus, twin sister of Apollo Goddess of hunting, animals, childbirth, and the moon Goddess of hunting, animals, childbirth, and the moon

Poseidon Zeus’ brother Zeus’ brother God of the sea God of the sea Had many lovers and many children Had many lovers and many children He controlled the sea depending on his mood He controlled the sea depending on his mood Helped the Greeks during the Trojan war Helped the Greeks during the Trojan war

Hades Ruler of the underworld and the dead Ruler of the underworld and the dead Possesses all of the riches of the Earth, “the rich one” Possesses all of the riches of the Earth, “the rich one” Least-liked god, people did not like to say his name Least-liked god, people did not like to say his name