Ancient Greek Religion
Josh Vines
Paris High School
4th Period
10-8-09
Ancient Greek Religion
Ancient Greek religion was one of the most unique religions of its time period. Its many gods and stories behind them are famous and have been passed down for centuries. The beliefs, practices, and history of religion in the world of Ancient Greece make this religion unlike any other ever established in any part of the world. In ancient Greek religion, there were twelve Olympians, or principal gods, that sat atop of Mount Olympus. There was Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Ares, Hermes, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Athena, Apollo, and Artemis. These twelve gods were always considered Olympians in Greek religion. There was also four other variable gods among the twelve Olympians by the names of Hestia, Demeter, Dionysus, and Hades.[1] Zeus headed all the gods as the supreme ruler and king. He was the god of the sky and thunder in Greek mythology. Zeus was also known to of had many love affairs with many other goddesses, and even some mortal women. Zeus’s siblings were Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Hestia, and Hades. Hera was not only Zeus’s sister, but was also his wife. She was the goddess of marriage, and unlike her husband Zeus, she was very faithful. She was said to have spent most of her time plotting revenge on the other women Zeus had sexual relations with. Posiedon was the god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. He was known as Neptune to the Romans and as Nethuns to the Etruscans. He was known to cause mental disturbances. Demeter was the goddess of agriculture. She is sometimes counted as one of the twelve Olympians seated on Mount Olympus. She leaves Olympus every six months to visit with her daughter in the underworld. Her six month absence was believed to be the cause of winter. Hestia was the virginal goddess of the hearth and the family, and Hades was the god of the underworld. Hades was not considered one of the twelve Olympians because he lives in his realm of the
Paris High School
4th Period
10-8-09
Ancient Greek Religion
Ancient Greek religion was one of the most unique religions of its time period. Its many gods and stories behind them are famous and have been passed down for centuries. The beliefs, practices, and history of religion in the world of Ancient Greece make this religion unlike any other ever established in any part of the world. In ancient Greek religion, there were twelve Olympians, or principal gods, that sat atop of Mount Olympus. There was Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Ares, Hermes, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Athena, Apollo, and Artemis. These twelve gods were always considered Olympians in Greek religion. There was also four other variable gods among the twelve Olympians by the names of Hestia, Demeter, Dionysus, and Hades.[1] Zeus headed all the gods as the supreme ruler and king. He was the god of the sky and thunder in Greek mythology. Zeus was also known to of had many love affairs with many other goddesses, and even some mortal women. Zeus’s siblings were Hera, Poseidon, Demeter, Hestia, and Hades. Hera was not only Zeus’s sister, but was also his wife. She was the goddess of marriage, and unlike her husband Zeus, she was very faithful. She was said to have spent most of her time plotting revenge on the other women Zeus had sexual relations with. Posiedon was the god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. He was known as Neptune to the Romans and as Nethuns to the Etruscans. He was known to cause mental disturbances. Demeter was the goddess of agriculture. She is sometimes counted as one of the twelve Olympians seated on Mount Olympus. She leaves Olympus every six months to visit with her daughter in the underworld. Her six month absence was believed to be the cause of winter. Hestia was the virginal goddess of the hearth and the family, and Hades was the god of the underworld. Hades was not considered one of the twelve Olympians because he lives in his realm of the