#5: Ancient Religions - Greece

Who is the leader of the Olympian gods?

There was a hierarchy of gods, with Zeus, the king of the Olympian gods, having a level of control over all the others, although he was not omnipotent. What does omnipotent mean?

(of a deity) having unlimited power; able to do anything. Identify the dominions of Zeus, Poseidon and Hades.

Some deities had dominion over certain aspects of nature. For instance, Zeus was the sky-god, sending thunder and lightning, Poseidon ruled over the sea and earthquakes, Hades projected his remarkable power throughout the realms of death and the Underworld, and Helios controlled the sun. Other deities ruled over an abstract concept; for instance Aphrodite controlled love.

Which item was more powerful than the gods?

While being immortal, the gods were not all powerful. They had to obey fate, which overrode all. For instance, in mythology, it was Odysseus' fate to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, and the gods could only lengthen his journey and make it harder for him, but they could not stop him. Who was Heracles in ancient Rome?

The most famous demi god was probably Heracles. Heracles (also known by the Roman spelling, Hercules), son of Zeus/Jupiter and later the god of heroes. Which cities were Athena, Zeus and Aphrodite associated with?

Some gods were specifically associated with a certain city. Athena was associated with the city of Athens, Apollo with Delphi and Delos, Zeus with Olympia and Aphrodite with Corinth. Other deities were associated with nations outside of Greece; Poseidon was associated with Ethiopia and Troy, and Ares with Thrace.

In ancient Greece what was the most common name for the underworld as a place of death?

One of the most widespread areas of the underworld was known as Hades. This was ruled over by a god, a brother of Zeus, who was called Hades (his realm was originally called 'the place of Hades'). Where was the place that really bad beings went after they died?

Another realm, called Tartarus, was the place where the damned were thought to go, a place of torment. Where did really good beings go after they died?

A third realm, Elysium, was a pleasant place where the virtuous dead and initiates in the mystery cults were said to dwell.

Identify the major conflicts which seem to be the source of many of the important Greek figures?

A few, like Achilles, Menelaus, Peleus, and a great number of those who fought in the Trojan and Theban wars, were considered to have been physically immortalized and brought to live forever in Elysium. Such beliefs are found in the most ancient Greek sources, such as Homer and Hesiod.

Identify two Greeks which discussed the idea of reincarnation.

Some Greeks, such as the philosophers Pythagoras and Plato, also espoused the idea of reincarnation, though this was only accepted by a few. Epicurus taught that the soul was simply atoms which dissolved at death, so there was no existence after death.

Pair the adventure with the Greek heroes Heracles, Odysseus, Jason and Theseus.

Myths often revolved around heroes and their actions, such as Heracles and his twelve labors, Odysseus and his voyage home, Jason and the quest for the Golden Fleece and Theseus and the Minotaur.

Identify the gods that predated the Olympians.

Many different species existed in Greek mythology. Chief among these were the gods and humans, though the Titans also frequently appeared in Greek myths. They predated the Olympian gods, and were hated by them. What is the difference between a dryad and a nereid?

Tree nymphs were dryads, sea nymphs were nereids What is the difference between a centaur and a satyr?

Lesser species included the half-man, half-horse centaurs, and the half man, half goat satyrs.

Who was chaos?

One Greek creation myth was told in Hesiod's Theogony. It stated that at first there was only a primordial deity called Chaos, who gave birth to various other primordial gods, such as Gaia, Tartarus and Eros Who gave birth to the Titans?

Gaia, Tartarus and Eros, who then gave birth to more gods, the Titans Who were the children of the Titans?

The Titans, who then gave birth to the first Olympians.