Religion Was Important to the Ancient Greeks Because They Believed That It Would Make Their

Religion was important to the ancient Greeks because they believed that it would make their lives better while they were living. They also believed the gods would take care of them when they died.

What role did religion play in Ancient Greece?

The Ancient Greeks believed in many different gods and goddesses. The Greeks believed that these gods and goddesses controlled everything in their lives and the environment. There was a god for every aspect of their lives. It was important to please the gods; happy gods helped you, but unhappy gods punished you. People had special places in their homes where they could pray to the gods. There were also public shrines in all sorts of places where people could pray and leave presents.

Based on how the Ancient Greeks thought, what blessings would you identify in your life.

Do you believe that bad luck is a punishment? Describe something that you would consider bad luck, and explain.

Temples

The Greeks, to show the gods how important they were, built temples in every town for one god or goddess. The temples were not like modern places of worship, for ordinary people to pray in. They were homes for statues of gods, which were cared for by priests. Religious ceremonies and festivals went on outside the temple.

If you were to create a temple, what would you include in it?

Priests

Priests were important people in the community. They were believed to have the power to talk to the gods and so were respected and trusted.

What people do you believe are important members of the community? Explain why.

There were only two ways you could become a priest. Either your mother or father was a priest or you were made a priest by a dying priest.

A priest’s main job was to look after the temples and the visitors to the temples.

If you wanted to become a priest in Ancient Greece, how would you be able to become one?

Greek Gods

The Ancient Greeks believed that all the gods came from Gaia (the Earth) and Uranos (the sky).They thought they were like adult humans - always falling in love, arguing, having children, playing music and partying. Like the Romans, the Greeks believed that different gods were responsible for different things.

How were the Greek Gods and people alike?

How do you think they were different?

Mount Olympus

The Greeks believed that twelve most important gods and goddesses lived at the top of Mount Olympus.They were a family and, just like a human family, they argued as well as looking after each other.

Mount Olympus, in northern Greece, is the highest mountain in the country. It was believed to be the home of the gods, because it was often so cloudy and no-one could see its summit.

Why did they believe that Mount Olympus was the home of 12 important Greek gods?

Religion

The ancient Greeks worshiped their gods every day. They believed in a great many gods! The ancient Greeks built many, many temples. They believed each temple they built should honor only one god, no matter how big or elaborate the temple. Some cities built more than one temple to honor the same god. Women could be priests. Priests were assisted by attendants. People would bring offerings, usually food, to the temples when they prayed. This food was collected, sometimes stored, and eaten by the priests and the attendants in honor of the gods.

Think of how you and your family celebrate or pray, and make comparisons or contrasts.

Sacred sites were located all over the place. Sites held a simple alter at which the ancient Greeks could pray. Some sacred sites became so popular, for whatever reason, that a temple was built on the site.

The Greeks also prayed at home in their courtyards. It was not unusual to pray at home, stop at a sacred site, and visit a temple, all in the same day.

Think about your belief system, what do you consider sacred? Explain why.

The Greeks held festivals to honor their gods. First a festival, then a parade to a temple, then a sacrifice - an animal of the same sex as the god being worshiped, and then a feast. They held sporting events, like the ancient Greek Olympics, to honor their gods. In ancient Greece, honoring the gods was part of daily life and part of just about everything they did.

Describe a parade or festival that you went to, and reflect on how you felt.

The Greeks did not believe their gods lived in the temples or at the sacred sites. But they did believe the gods visited these places, and had magical powers that could hear their prayers. The Greeks also believed they could ask for help and advice through an oracle. An oracle was a wise woman with the ability to see the future.

What is an oracle?

Ancient Greek Gods for Kids

Zeus was the king of all the gods. He had many magical powers. He could shape shift and make himself look like anybody. He could throw his lightning bolts and do all kinds of damage. He could throw his voice and make himself sound like anybody.

What magical powers do you wish, and why.

He also had powers that came from being king of all the gods. These were powers of government. He could give other gods titles and jobs. And he could take those titles and jobs away. He could direct other gods, like any leader, to do things. His was an elected position. There were 12 gods on the council. They could have voted someone else king. But they never did. And Zeus never retired.

Zeus never quit- what job do you think you could do every single day for the next two hundred years and still enjoy?

As the king of all the gods, there are many myths about the mighty Zeus.

As the story goes .... From the very first, humans had trouble with the gods. Most gods thought of humans as toys. But some gods found themselves interested in the human race. Some gods even made friends with the humans. One of those gods was named Prometheus.

The first people created by the gods lived happily together. They thought the gods were wonderful. But their children were not as grateful or as content. The children argued among themselves, and sometimes even argued with the gods.

Zeus was very disappointed at mankind. He decided he was not going to give mankind a most important tool - fire! Without fire, humans were not going to last very long.

Prometheus felt sorry for his human friends. Fire was important for many things - like heat and cooking, and hundreds of others. Prometheus stole a lightning bolt from Zeus and gave it to mankind. That's when man discovered fire.

Zeus was furious. He ordered Prometheus chained to a rock as punishment for stealing his lightning bolt, and for going behind his back to help the humans. To make Prometheus even more miserable, Zeus sent storms to beat angry waves against Prometheus, helplessly chained to his rock. Zeus made the sun shine really brightly now and then to burn his skin. Zeus even sent an eagle to nibble at poor Prometheus' body. It was quite a punishment for a god who had only tried to help mankind. But he had defied Zeus, and that was what made Zeus so angry.

It was Hercules who finally released the helpless god from his chains. By the time Hercules saved him, nearly a thousand years had passed. That's probably not a lot of time if you happen to be immortal. But humans had changed a great deal over 1000 years. By then, Zeus found humans quite entertaining. Zeus no longer cared if anyone rescued Prometheus or not.

If you were a Greek god, what human behaviors would annoy you? Who do you think would be your archenemy?

Create a myth of your own!

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