The Greeks

Greek Religion

This encompasses the collection of beliefs and rituals practiced in ancient Greece in the
form of both popular public religion and cult practices. These different groups varied enough for it
to be possible to speak of Greek religions or "cults" in the plural, though most of them shared
similarities. Also, the Greek religion extended out of Greece and out to the islands. Many Greek
people recognized the major gods and goddesses: Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Apollo, Artemis,
Aphrodite, Ares, Hera, Dionysus, Hephaestus, Athena, Hermes, Demeter, Heracles, Hestia,
Hestia, Asclepius, and Hera.

The Greeks are recognized as an exceptional people. They are known in history as the
“noble Greeks”.

Greek Art and Literature

The Greeks produced a civilization that in many ways has never been surpassed in the world.
Greek art is well-known throughout the world. There are four major forms of Greek art:
1. Architecture
2. Painting
3. Sculpture
4. Pottery

Brief History of Greek Literature

Few literary traditions have been as influential to Western society as Greek literature.
From the works of Homer to the musings of Aristotle, ancient Greek literature forms the foundation
of Western thought. Greek literature and thought has continued to influence Western society as
the conquests of Alexander the Great and the Roman Empire spread Greek thinking throughout
the Western world. The Greek literary tradition is deep and rich, with a profound impact felt
throughout all civilization.

Greek Drama Greek Writers:

There were three great tragic writers: 1. Thespis
1. Aeschylus 2. Aristophanes
2. Sophocles 3. Herodotus
3. Euripedes 4. Thucydides
4. Aristophanes 5. Xenophon

Art and Architecture:

1. Acropolis 4. Oration
2. Parthenon 5. Demosthenes
3. Phidias
Preclassical Era
 Greek literature traces its roots to the preclassical period, beginning around 800 B.C. The
great poets, Homer, and Hesiod, worked during this time period. Homer’s two great works, the
“Iliad” and the “Odyssey,” are the foundation of Greek literature. These two epic poems set the
tone, scope, and form for Greek literature for centuries to come.

Classical Era
The classical era of Greek literature was an explosion of forms, ideas, and techniques that
have formed the basis of Western literature. The classical period is particularly noteworthy for the
emergence of Western philosophy and the invention of drama. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, the
three great philosophers of ancient Greece, lived during the classical period. These three Greeks
have had an immeasurable impact on the development of civilization. Socrates is notable for
being the muse of Greek philosophy, the original thinker who inspired all who followed after him.
His teachings are preserved in many of Plato’s “Dialogues.” Plato was a student of Socrates who
went on to found the Academy of Athens, the first institution of higher learning. Aristotle was
himself a student of Plato’s; his status is such that he is often simply called “The Philosopher.” He
composed many of the bedrock works of Western literature, including “Physics,” “Metaphysics,”
“Politics” and more.

Political Development
1. Pericles
2. Pindar

Philosophy and Science

1. Socrates 6. Lysander
2. Hippocrates 7. Alcibiades
3. Herophilus 8. Philip II
4. Euclid 9. Alexander the Great
5. Archimedes 10. Erastothenes

Hellenistic Era
By the conquest of Greece by Phillip II and later by Alexander the Great, the
influence of Greek literature had begun to spread around the world. Poetry was the main
literary product of the Hellenistic period, with the trio of Theocritus, Callimachus, and
Apollonius leading the way. Theocritus invented the pastoral poem, while Apollonius is
famous for his “Argonautica,” the story of Jason and the search of the Golden Fleece.
Callimachus worked at the Library of Alexandria and is famous for his “Aetia,” and elegy
exploring the origins of many things. Callimachus was also the model for the Roman poet
Ovid.

Greek literature has a storied history, full of towering names and prominent works.
The history of Greek literature is in many ways the history of Western literature as a whole.
The world owes Greece a debt for its contribution to the development of human
civilization.
Greek Mythology
The Greek mythological gods and goddesses were made out of their own image
very different from the Egyptians and the others.
They were believed to be the controller of the life of human beings.
Greek gods were not supreme, almighty beings. They were looked upon as
idealized human beings. They were powerful, but looked human and had the same flaws
human had. They were immortal, didn’t get old or sick and had eternal youth, but they did
have human flaws, desires and needs, such as hunger and thirst.

Zeus (Roman name: Jupiter)

 The most powerful of all.
 God of the sky and the king of Olympus.
 His temper affected the weather, and he threw thunderbolts when he was unhappy.
 He was married to Hera but had many other lovers.
 His symbols include the oaks and the thunderbolt.

Hera (Roman name: Juno)

 Was the goddess of marriage and the queen of Olympus.
 Was Zeus’ wife and sister; many myths tell of how she sought revenge when Zeus
betrayed her with his lovers.
 Her symbols include the peacock and the cow.

Poseidon (Roman name: Neptune)

 Was god of the sea.
 He lived in a beautiful palace under the sea and caused earthquakes when he was in a
temper.
 His symbols include the horse and the trident (a three-pronged pitchfork).

Hestia (Roman name: Vesta)

 Was the goddess of the hearth (a fireplace at the center of the home).
 She was the most gentle of the gods and goddesses, and does not play a role in many
myths.
 Was the sister of Zeus and the oldest of the Olympians.
 Fire is among her symbols.

Athena (Roman name: Minerva)

 Was the goddess of wisdom.
 She was also skilled in the art of war, and helped heroes such as Odysseus and Hercules.
 Sprang full-grown from the forehead of Zeus, and became his favorite child.
 Her symbols include the owl and the olive tree.
Aphrodite (Roman name: Venus)
 Was the goddess of love and beauty, and the protector of sailors.
 She may have been the daughter of Zeus and the Titan Dione, or she may have risen
from sea foam.
 Her symbols include the myrtle tree and the dove.

Hephaestus (Roman name: Vulcan)

 Was the god of fire and the forge (a furnace in which metal is heated).
 Although he made armor and weapons for the gods, he loved peace.
 He was the son of Zeus and Hera and married Aphrodite.
 His symbols include the anvil and the forge.

Ares (Roman name: Mars)

 Was the god of war.
 He was both cruel and a coward.
 Was the son of Zeus and Hera, but neither of his parents liked him.
 His symbols include the vulture and the dog, and he often carried a bloody spear.

Demeter (Roman name: Ceres)

 Was the goddess of the harvest. The word cereal comes from her Roman name.
 She was the sister of Zeus.
 Her symbols include wheat.

Apollo
 Was the god of music and healing.
 He was also an archer, and the hunted with a silver bow. He was the son of Zeus and the
Titan Leto, and the twin of Artemis.
 His symbols include the laurel tree, the crow, and the dolphin.

Artemis (Roman name: Diana)

 Was the goddess of the hunt and the protector of women in childbirth
 She hunted sith silver arrows and loved all wild animals.
 Was the daughter of Zeus and Leto, and the twin of Apollo.
 Her symbols include the cypress tree and the deer.

Hermes (Roman name: Mercury)

 Was the messenger god, a trickster, and a friend to thieves. He was aid to have invented
boxing and gymnastics.
 He was the son of Zeus and the constellation Maia.
 The speediest of all, he wore winged sandals and a winged hat and carried a magic wand.