1. The Greek Religion
Chapter 6

2. Why did the early Greeks need gods?
They did not understand why changes occurred in nature
They attributed natural happenings, such as thunderstorms or tides, to the gods
They believed the gods controlled their destinies
When bad things happened, they thought the gods were punishing them

3. Zeus God of all heavens Supreme ruler of the gods
Fig. 1: “Zeus” (Michael Vey)

4. Poseidon
God of the seas
Fig. 2: “Poseidon” (Most Wanted)

5. Hades
God of the underworld
Fig. 3: “Hades” (Emaze)

6. Hesiod Boeotian poet of 8th century B.C.E.
Wrote a long poem called Theogony
Drew together the myths
Presented genealogy of gods
Offered a Greek version of creation

7. Elysian Fields
Truly virtuous people went to this place after death to live in golden sunlight. Forever.
Fig. 4: “Elysian Fields” (Hercules & Xena)

8. The Oracles
Gave answers that had double meaning or purposefully vague. i.e. wooden walls
Constant stream of visitors made priests more knowledgeable about world affairs, so they gave good advise
Fig. 5: “The Mystic Oracle of Delphi”

9. The Greeks saw no contradiction between their religious beliefs and their respect for human reasoning.
They reconciled the contradiction by believing that by studying science and nature, they were drawing closer to the divine powers that controlled everything.