Sunday 15 January 2012

Agnosticism / Atheism: What's Hot Now: Public Character of Greek Religion: Images of Ancient Greek Religion & Mythology

Agnosticism / Atheism: What's Hot Now
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Public Character of Greek Religion: Images of Ancient Greek Religion & Mythology
Jan 15th 2012, 11:07

Public Character of Greek Religion

Ancient Greek Mythology, Religion, Art

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Greek Drama: Public Character of Greek Religion

Everyone in ancient Greece defined their lives in relation to the sacred realm and in relation to the political organization of their city-state. In this way religion and politics were deeply intertwined - arguably, there was no obvious separation between the two.

The transmission of Greek legends generally occurred in the public realm. Dramas, readings, and other performances were integral to the rhythm of public life. Such poetic activity provided shape and cohesiveness to the political community, defining its internal structure as well as its face to outsiders. It was also standard that such performances involve the myths and rituals of Greek religion - completely secular drama that was divorced from religion was not normal, if it even existed.

The role of the city-state in the development and form of Greek religion could easily be overlooked, but it is vitally important. The social revolution which led to the formation of the Greek city-states occurred in parallel with the formation of the Greek pantheon, indicating a simultaneous reorganization of political, social, and religious life.

Rituals

Furthermore, it must be remembered that each city-state had it's own patron deity, a relationship which played a decisive role not only in the character of local politics and community feelings, but also in the nature of the myths recounted in that region. The stories about Athena could be told one way in Athens where she was the patron goddess, another way in Sparta where she was not. Patron deities had a special kinship with their cities, playing a role in how local citizens saw themselves and understood their relationship to outsiders.

Much of this changed during the Hellenistic Age, usually marked by the conquests of Alexander the Great after 334 BCE. Under the rule of Macedonian lords, various Greek communities began to take a different perspective on religion which moved them away from community-oriented practices and more towards individualistic religious beliefs

Private associations were formed and interest in things like astrology bloomed. At the same time, politically-enforced veneration of divine rulers like Alexander himself began to develop. Such veneration was used to gauge one's adherence to social and political norms in a conscious, overt manner that contrasts sharply to more unconscious used of Greek rituals to do the same thing in prior ages. This probably helped drive people to the individualistic practices as more "authentically" religious.

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