What makes zeus sacred

Ancient Greek religious practice, essentially conservative in nature, was based on time-honored observances, many rooted in the Bronze Age — B.

Although the Iliad and the Odyssey of Homer, believed to have been composed around the eighth century B. Nor did they have a strict priestly caste. The relationship between human beings and deities was based on the concept of exchange: gods and goddesses were expected to give gifts.

Votive offerings, which have been excavated from sanctuaries by the thousands, were a physical expression of thanks on the part of individual worshippers. The Greeks worshipped in sanctuaries located, according to the nature of the particular deity, either within the city or in the countryside. A sanctuary was a well-defined sacred space set apart usually by an enclosure wall.

This sacred precinct, also known as a temenos, contained the temple with a monumental cult image of the deity, an outdoor altar, statues and votive offerings to the gods, and often features of landscape such as sacred trees or springs. Many temples benefited from their natural surroundings, which helped to express the character of the divinities.

For instance, the temple at Sounion dedicated to Poseidon, god of the sea, commands a spectacular view of the water on three sides, and the Parthenon on the rocky Athenian Akropolis celebrates the indomitable might of the goddess Athena. The central ritual act in ancient Greece was animal sacrifice, especially of oxen, goats, and sheep. Sacrifices took place within the sanctuary, usually at an altar in front of the temple, with the assembled participants consuming the entrails and meat of the victim.

Liquid offerings, or libations Religious festivals, literally feast days, filled the year. The four most famous festivals, each with its own procession, athletic competitions These Panhellenic festivals were attended by people from all over the Greek-speaking world. Many other festivals were celebrated locally, and in the case of mystery cults , such as the one at Eleusis near Athens, only initiates could participate.

Hornblower, Simon, and Antony Spawforth, eds. The Oxford Classical Dictionary. New York: Oxford University Press, Pedley, John Griffiths. Greek Art and Archaeology. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Pomeroy, Sarah B. Robertson, Martin. A History of Greek Art. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, Visiting The Met? Terracotta aryballos oil flask Signed by Nearchos as potter. Bronze Herakles. Bronze mirror with a support in the form of a nude girl. Terracotta column-krater bowl for mixing wine and water Attributed to Lydos.

Terracotta kylix drinking cup Attributed to the Amasis Painter. Terracotta Panathenaic prize amphora Attributed to the Euphiletos Painter. Terracotta amphora jar Signed by Andokides as potter. Terracotta Panathenaic prize amphora Attributed to the Kleophrades Painter. Terracotta statuette of Nike, the personification of victory. Terracotta lekythos oil flask Attributed to the Tithonos Painter. King of the underworld and the dead, and god of regret.

His consort is Persephone. His attributes are the drinking horn or cornucopia, key, sceptre, and the three-headed dog Cerberus. The screech owl was sacred to him. He was one of three sons of Cronus and Rhea, and thus sovereign over one of the three realms of the universe, the underworld. As a chthonic god, however, his place among the Olympians is ambiguous.

In the mystery religions and Athenian literature, Pluto Plouton, "the Rich" was his preferred name, with Hades more common for the underworld as a place. Crippled god of fire, metalworking, and crafts. Husband to Aphrodite. Either the son of Zeus and Hera or Hera alone, he is the smith of the gods and the husband of the adulterous Aphrodite. He was usually depicted as a bearded man with hammer, tongs and anvil—the tools of a smith—and sometimes riding a donkey. His sacred animals are the donkey, the guard dog and the crane.

Among his creations was the armor of Achilles. Hephaestus used the fire of the forge as a creative force, but his Roman counterpart Vulcan was feared for his destructive potential and associated with the volcanic power of the earth. Queen of the gods and goddess of marriage, women, childbirth, heirs, kings, and empires. She is the wife and sister of Zeus and daughter of Cronus and Rhea.

She was usually depicted as a regal woman in the prime of her life, wearing a diadem and veil and holding a lotus-tipped staff. Although she was the goddess of marriage, Zeus's many infidelities drive her to jealousy and vengefulness. One Iconic affair was one he had with Alcmene, which bore him a son, Heracles Hercules.

There are several versions with one being that she sent snakes to kill Heracles and another where she adopts him and nurses him. Her sacred animals are the heifer, the peacock, and the cuckoo. In Rome she was known as Juno. God of boundaries, travel, communication, trade, language, and writing. The son of Zeus and Maia, Hermes is the messenger of the gods, and a psychopomp who leads the souls of the dead into the afterlife.

He was depicted either as a handsome and athletic beardless youth, or as an older bearded man. His attributes include the herald's wand or caduceus, winged sandals, and a traveler's cap. His sacred animals are the tortoise, the ram, and the hawk. The Roman Mercury was more closely identified with trade and commerce.

Virgin goddess of the hearth, home and chastity. She is a daughter of Rhea and Cronus and sister of Zeus. Not often identifiable in Greek art, she appeared as a modestly veiled woman. Her symbols are the hearth and kettle. In some accounts, she gave up her seat as one of the Twelve Olympians in favor of Dionysus, and she plays little role in Greek myths.

Her counterpart Vesta, however, was a major deity of the Roman state. God of the sea, rivers, floods, droughts, and earthquakes. He is a son of Cronus and Rhea and brother to Zeus and Hades. He rules one of the three realms of the universe as king of the sea and the waters.

In classical artwork, he was depicted as a mature man of sturdy build with an often luxuriant beard, and holding a trident. The horse and the dolphin are sacred to him. His wedding with Amphitrite is often presented as a triumphal procession. There are some stories that specify an affair with Medusa which led to her giving birth to Pegasus from her neck when Perseus sliced her head. His symbols are the trident, horse, dolphin, fish and bull. His Roman counterpart was Neptune.

King and father of the gods, the ruler of Mount Olympus and the god of the sky, weather, thunder, lightning, law, order, and justice. He is the youngest son of Cronus and Rhea. He overthrew Cronus and gained the sovereignty of heaven for himself. In artwork, he was depicted as a regal, mature man with a sturdy figure and dark beard. His usual attributes are the royal scepter and the lightning bolt, and his sacred animals are the eagle and the bull. His counterpart Jupiter, also known as Jove, was the supreme deity of the Romans.

Aphrodite Goddess of love, beauty, desire, sexuality, and pleasure. Apollo God of music, arts, knowledge, healing, plague, prophecy, poetry, manly beauty and archery. Ares God of war, bloodshed, and violence. Artemis Virgin goddess of the hunt, wilderness, animals, young girls, childbirth, and plague. Athena Goddess of intelligence, skill, peace, warfare, battle strategy, handicrafts, and wisdom.

Demeter Goddess of grain, agriculture and the harvest, growth and nourishment. Dionysus God of wine, parties and festivals, madness, chaos, drunkenness, drugs, and ecstasy. Hades King of the underworld and the dead, and god of regret. Hephaestus Crippled god of fire, metalworking, and crafts. Hera Queen of the gods and goddess of marriage, women, childbirth, heirs, kings, and empires.