Ancient greek religion, rituals and worship
The center of Ancient Greek life often included religion and rituals. Sports, entertainment, war and politics all included religious rituals. The Greeks believed in many gods, each who had control of different things in the world, and of human behavior. Some gods had control over the elements of nature. The Greeks also worshipped heroes- mythical humans who were believed to have become powerful after they died.
The Greeks used the many different gods to explain problems in life. When Greek religion took form in Ancient Greece, it was not one nation, but lots of little nations run by councils of princes. The Greeks saw the gods and their powers in a similar war, having the powers split up among many gods, rather than one god with all the powers. Zeus was the king of gods, but he did not rule alone, and needed help from the other gods.
The Greek gods often had many "human-focused" myths about them, and in them, the gods often took on human forms in the myths. The gods had special powers and they lived forever, yet they looked and behaved just like people. The gods didn't always act justly and fairly, and were jealous and angry at times, and kind and helpful at other times. They either bullied humans, or had favorite humans whom they liked to help.
If you wanted a god to respect you, you had to honor him/her properly. People honored gods in many different ways. They often gave something, so you could get something. Sometimes people would give a god something small, like a cake, and other times they would give larger gifts such as statues. An important gift was an animal sacrifice which was killed and ate at a feast. These feasts bonded people together, and with gods. Whole cities would honor gods at many different times. Greeks would also honor gods through competitions, such as the Olympic Games.
The Greeks used the many different gods to explain problems in life. When Greek religion took form in Ancient Greece, it was not one nation, but lots of little nations run by councils of princes. The Greeks saw the gods and their powers in a similar war, having the powers split up among many gods, rather than one god with all the powers. Zeus was the king of gods, but he did not rule alone, and needed help from the other gods.
The Greek gods often had many "human-focused" myths about them, and in them, the gods often took on human forms in the myths. The gods had special powers and they lived forever, yet they looked and behaved just like people. The gods didn't always act justly and fairly, and were jealous and angry at times, and kind and helpful at other times. They either bullied humans, or had favorite humans whom they liked to help.
If you wanted a god to respect you, you had to honor him/her properly. People honored gods in many different ways. They often gave something, so you could get something. Sometimes people would give a god something small, like a cake, and other times they would give larger gifts such as statues. An important gift was an animal sacrifice which was killed and ate at a feast. These feasts bonded people together, and with gods. Whole cities would honor gods at many different times. Greeks would also honor gods through competitions, such as the Olympic Games.
Oracles and miasma
Greek religion also assisted in revealing the future. People would seek advice about what was going to happen by asking an oracle questions. The most accurate Oracle was believed to be the Delphic oracle.
Another important thing in Greek religion was purifying people from miasma. Miasma was a never-ending streak of bad luck, but luckily people could purify you by performing certain rituals. Miasma could happen due to doing certain things that were really bad.
Another important thing in Greek religion was purifying people from miasma. Miasma was a never-ending streak of bad luck, but luckily people could purify you by performing certain rituals. Miasma could happen due to doing certain things that were really bad.