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. Read on to take a glimpse into Greek religion.

How did they practice religion?

The ancient Greeks were polytheistic, they believed in many different gods and goddesses. The Greeks believed that these gods and goddesses controlled everything, from the waves in the ocean to the winner of a race. Each god or goddess controlled one or two major aspects of life.

Greeks built temples in every town for one god or goddess. Temples were large and beautiful buildings where Greeks went to pray or sacrifice animals. The sacrificed animals were considered gifts to the gods. Greeks were especially likely to sacrifice animals at festivals in honor of the gods.

The festivals included plays, music, dancing, and then a parade to the temple where they made their sacrifices and had a feast. One temple (below) still standing today is the Parthenon, built in honor of Athena, who was the goddess of wisdom and war.

photo courtesy of Portland State University

Who were these gods and goddesses?

The Greeks believed that all of the gods and goddesses lived at the top of Mount Olympus. As mentioned earlier, all of the gods and goddesses had specific roles. For example, Zeus was the supreme leader of the gods, Hermes was the messenger of the gods, and Poseidon was the god of the sea. Later, the Romans also worshipped these gods and goddesses but gave them different names. To see a list of the names of these gods and their duties, click here.

Were there any places other than the temples where they could go to pray?

Yes, as a matter of fact, there were other places where they could go to pray. These holy sites were known as oracles. Here the Greeks and the priest of the temple would pray to the gods and ask a question about their futures. They believed the gods answered their questions using signs in nature. For example, at the oracle of Zeus at Dodona, you would write your question on a slab of lead then give it to the priest, who listened to the rustling leaves of sacred oak trees to tell you the god's answer.