Greek Gods - The Historical Background Essay -- Classics

Grecian Gods - The Historical BackgroundGreek gods were an essential part of Greek mythology. Our properknowledge of the ancient Greek gods can be traced back to Homer whowrote The Iliad and The Odysse.It is also believed that the myths were heavily influenced by theMycenaean culture that existed in Greece from 1700 to 1100 BC. heretoforethere is some evidence that the beginnings of Greek mythology andbeliefs can be traced back to the ancient Middle Eastern cultures.There are many similarities between the mythology of these ancientMiddle Eastern cultures and the ancient Greeks.Greek Gods - Religious & Social BackgroundThe Greek gods were created in enunciate to explain the world around themin order to put a reason or explanation behind everything, and toprovide entertainment for the masses.In the Greek religion however there was not a sole source or readingthat could be studied and preached, i.e. Muslims study the Koran, andChristians the Bible.However the Greeks were broader and less strict in the way theypractised their faith, each unalike Greek city-state would devoteitself to a particular god or a set of gods, and depending on thelocation of the state the characteristics of the gods could vary manycity-states erected temples to their particular gods, and these godswere honoured in festivals and animal sacrifices.The ancient Greek gods were believed to take on human form and livedin a society similar to human society, ...