Influence on their society
The Greek Religion was hugely influential on the people of the time. It served to create the framework for the entire society. Huge amounts of time and money were spent in constructing temples and holy places in which to worship the gods, as well as people’s livelihoods used as sacrifices. It helped to clearly define the roles of women in the society. The position of the male gods as dominant reinforced that. On the other hand however, religion also gave Greek women hope and influence, with some of the most influential deities being female, as evidenced by Athena, Hera and Artemis.
Unlike other societies that were religiously based however, Greece was a centre of learning and culture. Through the inspiration of the gods, Greek Theatre was founded, an essential cog in making Greece what it was and partly leading to its intellectual dominance of the ancient world. Famous philosophers such as Plato were undoubtedly influenced by the religion, though they often proposed ideas in opposition to it. Through the work of historians and writers like Homer, we have one of the first collections of great influential texts seen in the world. These texts often revolved around the gods and Greek myth, as in the case of Homer’s Iliad. It is beyond doubt that society was structured around the needs of the religion, and that created the Ancient Greece that we read about today.
Unlike other societies that were religiously based however, Greece was a centre of learning and culture. Through the inspiration of the gods, Greek Theatre was founded, an essential cog in making Greece what it was and partly leading to its intellectual dominance of the ancient world. Famous philosophers such as Plato were undoubtedly influenced by the religion, though they often proposed ideas in opposition to it. Through the work of historians and writers like Homer, we have one of the first collections of great influential texts seen in the world. These texts often revolved around the gods and Greek myth, as in the case of Homer’s Iliad. It is beyond doubt that society was structured around the needs of the religion, and that created the Ancient Greece that we read about today.