Free Essay

Greek Gods and Their Forms

In:

Submitted By donalen
Words 666
Pages 3
The Greek civilization formed their gods and goddesses in the form of mankind. Why would they do this?

Ancient Greeks had pride. They knew that the human race had come a long way to be where they were, and they saw no reason why humans were not appreciated. The human is a miracle, its strength, courage, endurance, looks, emotions, intellect, everything! Why would not one choose the most intelligent life form on the Earth to represent what might rule us as well? They should be at least equal in intelligence if not significantly smarter, and much more powerful at least. The Greeks were living in the immediate world surrounding them. They wanted to fulfill themselves with what actually was possible. If happiness meant catching a plentiful harvest of fish because a god blessed them it, why would not they be happy? Things in life were what the Greek valued, because they knew what was life, but not necessarily what lay in wait for them after they die, what judgment they would have, so they chose to live in the present and worship the gods for what they could. Filling their heads with unrealistic visions of beings that were alien to them was not what they wanted or thought was right. They got real things from the gods; it would only be just that they were realistic as well. So, in all the human being would be the perfect embodiment, the gods somewhat understanding the humans, the humans trying to make sense of the gods. They saw the human being as beautiful, graceful, and completely worthy of housing the forms of a god. The Greeks would look upon athletes in games and see beauty. They were able to see exquisiteness in man. They look upon the youth and see the delicate beauty of which is bestowed upon them. The human, in the eyes of the other humans, are truly the fulfillment of splendorous attractiveness that we all look for. The Greeks chose the human for its beauty. The Greek gods were magnificently beautiful in appearance, even more so than any mortal person could ever possibly be. They were awesome in all their power and beauty, and no better vessel was the appearance of them as the human. There is comfort in what is known. By choosing the form of mankind, the gods were given a sense of familiarity. Not only did they seem familiar, they seemed friendly, and almost closer to the humans themselves. Because of their similarities to the human race, the Greeks felt at home with them. They knew where they ate, what they ate, their entertainment, a lot of the gods’ lives were known. They knew that the gods had feelings, and that they were easily angered, and yet, they were content with befriending their gods, laughing at their rash decisions, because they knew how to stay on their good side. Their knowledge and similarity to humans made it a bit easier to understand that God’s actions, whether they are rational, punishing men for sins, with a plague befalling on the people, or they are the nonsensical fallouts of love and lust, their actions were comfortably like humans’. Not only did they resemble the humankind of Earth, they shared many character traits as well, strong emotions being the most prominent that the gods showed to have. Zeus liked women; he often had his way with them. Hera did not like this, and she got angry. Even the king and queen of the gods had their marriage quarrels. Hera was the jealous wife, and had the right to be, with Zeus following his lusts so readily. They laughed at Zeus; laughed at the situations he got himself into. They liked their gods even more because of their imperfections to relate to. Hera, being his wife, punished her competitors, amusing the Greeks furthermore. How human is such a feeling as jealousy! Having the gods in their likeness made them all the more closer to them.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Hermes And Dionysus Analysis

...The Greeks used complex art forms in order to tell narratives, especially those surrounding Greek mythology. The ancient Greeks depicted their deities as religious figures in human form; focusing on symmetry and accurate proportions in relation to the human body. This is evident in the statue of Hermes and the Infant Dionysus. This statue depicts two Greek gods, Hermes and Dionysus, in loving and affectionate poses. The messenger god, Hermes, is believed to be showing his half brother, the young god of wine, Dionysus, a cluster of grapes in his outstretched arm. Hermes stands in the typical Classical era pose called “contrapposto, or counterpose in Greek” (Kleiner). This is demonstrated through the s-shape that is created by his outstretched left leg which bears most of the weight. The movement of Hermes’ contrapposto gives a sense of movement and life to the piece that earlier pieces lacked. Though Dionysus does not appear to be in accurate proportions for his size, Hermes appears to be a realistic interpretation of the human body. This standard of aesthetic beauty and accurate proportions is still relevant worldwide. Hermes’ perfect youthful features are etched out in order to portray a sense of beauty. Many modern artists continue to portray this perfection of beauty. Photoshop, for example, is used in order to create perfect images and blur imperfections. The Greeks valued aesthetic beauty, symmetry, and form. Their narratives are told through the ingenious use of form in order...

Words: 1378 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Likenesses Between Greek and Roman Cultures

...Greeks | Romans | Greek city-states were separated from one another by countryside; all surrounding water. | Rome was inland on one side of the Tiber river. The Italic tribes did not have hills of the countryside to keep them out of Rome. | Most Greek buildings were made with mud, wood, plaster, and stone. These buildings did not stand over long periods of time. Save for the textures of marble and limestone they used to construct their temples which some still remain. | Romans used too marble and limestone in the construction of their buildings, but their greatest contribution was the perfection of the use of concrete. The strong, but light-weight material allowed them to larger and freer flowing structures. | Most of the remaining Greek structures are temples built to honor both their art and their gods. While decorative on the outside they were very plain within. Greek architecture was more rectilinear. This usually consisted of a pediment supported by columns set on a plinth for base. | More Roman structures stand today greatly due to their advancement in material technology. Roman structures were both decorative on both the inside and outside to reflect the pursuit of pleasure which was an essential part of Roman culture. Roman buildings were more complex, as they are credited with the mastering of the arch and dome type constructions, made possible by their skills with concrete. | Classical Greek sculptures are idealized from the human form, focusing on balance, symmetry...

Words: 731 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Notes on Greek Literature and Drama

...|D |E | |1 |officially named the Hellenic |Greek messenger to the gods |founder of the Academy in |literary form that is the |tragedian who wrote Oedipus | | |Republic |Hermes |Athens |crowning glory of Athenian Age|the King and Antigone - | | |Greece | |Plato |- drama |Sophocles | |2 |Greek god of wine and revelry |master of Greek comedy |god of war |capital city of Greece |what Greek actors wore during | | |- Dionysus |-Aristophanes |Ares |Athens |a performance in a play - | | | | | | |masks | |3 |lyric poet notable for his |religion of the 98% of Greek |The GLORY |dwelling place of the deities |prince of Troy who gave his | | |drinking songs and hymns - |people |that was |Mt. Olympus |life for his people - Hector | | |Anacreon |Greek Orthodox |GREECE | | ...

Words: 1771 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Introduction to Humanities

...Unit 1 IP Introduction to Humanities By Amber Brooker Abstract In this essay, I created a chart to compare and contrast elements of early Greek and Roman cultures. Greek/Roman Comparing Chart Category | Greek | Roman | Art | Greek Temple Architecture was an important form of art in Early Greece. The Greeks developed three architectural systems called Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. Each one was distinctive in its style and design. Greek Pottery was another important form of art in Early Greece. The paintings on the pottery found from early Greece has survived for centuries and these pieces give a glimpse into the culture and lives of Early Greece. Sculptures were important too, they consisted of small figurines and life-size statutes. Sculptures were created using marble, limestone, stone, and other materials. The sculptures created told stories of Heroes, Gods, Mythical Creatures, Important Events, and the culture of Greece | Roman Statues were developed from copying the art from the Greeks. Statues were made of gods and important leaders. Their statues showed a great sense of skill and originality. Roman sculptures were designed for the purpose of telling the significant history of the culture.  Besides the sculptures, statues, and paintings in Rome, Mosaics were also popular. Mosaics were made with geometric shapes of stone and placed in different shapes to create the desired look. | Geography | Greece is a peninsula that is composed of even smaller peninsulas...

Words: 775 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Cultural

...Greek and Roman Cultures Greek Culture Greek and Roman Culture Roman Culture Art Greek Temple Architecture was an important form of art in Early Greece. The Greeks developed three architectural systems/orders known as the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. Each one was distinctive in its style and design. Greek Pottery was another important form of art in Early Greece. The paintings on the pottery found from early Greece has survived for centuries and these pieces give a glimpse into the culture and lives of Early Greece. Sculpture consisted of small figurines and life-size statutes (such as the Statue of Kouros). Sculptures were created using marble, limestone, stone, and other materials. The sculptures created told stories of Heroes, Gods, Mythical Creatures, Important Events, and the culture of Greece. Greek Art and Sculpture derived from Romans. Roman Statues were developed from copying the art from the Greeks. Statues were made of gods and important leaders. Their statues showed a great sense of skill and originality. Roman sculptures were designed for the purpose of telling the significant history of the culture. Besides the sculptures, statues, and paintings in Rome, Mosaics were also popular. Mosaics were made with geometric shapes of stone and placed in different shapes to create the desired look. Geography Greece is a peninsula that is composed of even smaller peninsulas on its land. The land also is covered with mountains. This landform made it difficult...

Words: 762 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Greek Mythology

...ancient Greek myths because they influenced the ancient Greeks’ daily life and developed a sense of community within each city state. The people of ancient Greece believed that the diverse range of deities within Greek mythology influenced and controlled life on Earth, which made all aspects of life dependent on the attitudes of the gods. Each deity possessed specific desirable traits making them admired by the ancient Greeks. However, the gods also showed moral weakness to represent how it is natural to be influenced by temptation. It is interesting that the most powerful individuals in the universe were given flaws, which made each god and goddess more relatable. Mythology was intertwined...

Words: 885 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Ancient Greek Civilization

...The Ancient Greek Civilization Can you imagine 7,000 Spartans holding off 150,000 Persians at the Battle of Thermopylae? It is true. The Ancient Greeks held off one of the most powerful armies of that time so Greece would survive. Greek geography, the city-states, the concept of acropolis, government, military strategy, philosophy, and religion were all contributing factors in the creation and survival of the Greek city-state lifestyle. The geography and climate of Ancient Greece influenced the development of Greek civilization. Mountains separated Greece into regions where the Ancient Greeks settled and formed separate city-states and types of government. The mountains and the peninsula of Ancient Greece isolated Greek society from other city-states and also helped to keep them safe from enemy attack. Transportation over the rocky land was difficult, much of the land was not suitable for farming, and there were limited natural resources. The lack of natural resources and the difficulty of traveling by land caused the Ancient Greeks to depend more on the sea. Ancient Greece was surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea on three sides. Much of the land of Ancient Greece was linked by the sea and the sea also linked Ancient Greece to other societies. The Ancient Greeks became skilled sailors, fishermen, and tradesmen. The climate of Ancient Greece was moderate all year long and there was adequate rainfall. Due to the mild climate, Greek men spent much of...

Words: 2101 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Compare and Contrast Essay: Ancient Egypt and Greece

...Compare and contrast essay: Ancient Egypt and Greece The ancient Egyptian and ancient Greek civilizations are two of the oldest known civilizations in our history. The Egyptian civilization, based in the eastern part of North Africa, is believed to have started around 3150 BC and continued till the end of the Pharaoh rule in 31 BC. The ancient Greek civilization is believed to have been in effect from 1100 BC till about 146 BC. Many similarities and differences existed between these two civilizations, as even though they co-existed during a certain timeframe (1150 BC to 146 BC), they were located in different geographical areas. Because of these differences in geography, both these civilizations were subjected to different kinds of exposure, which included contact with other civilization and cultural inheritance. In the political sphere, we find that the Egyptian civilization had stronger emphasis on central authority, while the Greeks had a more decentralized structure, where powers were distributed over the cities and the states as well. As far as art is concerned, we find that the Egyptians were more involved in creating great monumental and gaudy structures, while the Greeks were more involved in creating smaller, more literary pieces of art. One of the biggest reasons why these two civilizations had these differences is due to their geography. The Egyptians had easy access to large stones that they could bring in to their country and use them to erect such monumental...

Words: 2939 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

My Term Paper

...The minds of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle Submitted to: Sr. Dennis San Gregorio Reported by: Legaspi, Mary Rose T. 1bsed SOCRATES BIOGRAPHY OF SOCRATES SOCRATES, the celebrated Greek philosopher and moralist, was born at Athens in the year 469 B.C. His father, Sophroniskus, was a sculptor and he followed the same profession in the early part of his life. His family was respectable in descent, but humble in point of means. He had the usual education of the Athenian citizen, which included not only a knowledge of the mother tongue, and readings in the Greek poets, but also the elements of arithmetic, geometry and astronomy as then known. Excepting in connection with his philosophical career, few circumstances of his life are known. He served as a hoplite, or heavy-armed foot-soldier, at the siege of Potidaea, at the battle of Deliurn, and at Amphipolis, and his bravery and endurance were greatly extolled by his friends. PLATO BIOGRAPHY OF PLATO Plato was born around the year 428 BCE in Athens. His father died while Plato was young, and his mother remarried to Pyrilampes, in whose house Plato would grow up. Plato's birth name was Aristocles, and he gained the nickname Platon, meaning broad, because of his broad build. His family had a history in politics, and Plato was destined to a life in keeping with this history. He studied at a gymnasium owned by Dionysios, and at the palaistra of Ariston of Argos. When he was young he studied music and poetry. According...

Words: 1010 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Earlier Civilizations

...Early Greek and Roman Civilizations Charles Inabnitt   Abstract The early Greek and Roman empires or civilizations shared a lot of similarities in geography for they both are Mediterranean countries. They had similar religions also. These are some of the cultural aspects that are compared and contrasted.   Early Greek and Roman Civilizations The following are examples of cultural elements of comparison and contrast: geography, government, economy, art, philosophy, religion. Furthermore, the graph below will go into more detail in all of the subjects discussed above. Greece Roman Geography Some of the Greek poleis or city states as they were called where naturally separated by the sea from the mainland. Now the mainland was very mountainous. Geographically, Rome was built on seven hills on the east bank of the Tiber River. The lower lying areas were prone to flooding. Government Greek governments were divided in groups by the great Aristotle, and are still used today by historians, into monarchies, oligarchies, tyrannies, and democracies. Rome was ruled by kings at the beginning of their time. Then it became a republic with emperors of royal blood and a senate and an assembly. Economy The Greeks since their poleis where unreachable by land they were reached by sea. Thus in the early part of the history of Greece the main source of economy was through fishing and trading. Later led onto agriculture and the growing of wheat. Romans where known for their trading and...

Words: 555 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Compare and Contrast

...Greek Mythology vs. Roman Mythology Behold the mighty power of Zeus! Perhaps you would yell out the name Jupiter instead. Depending in which era and land you lived would dictate which name you would praise. Both civilizations believed in the same Gods, but gave them different names. The physical attributes of the Gods’ is one aspect of religion that the two cultures did not agree on. The afterlife is also a belief shared by the two cultures, while the path to which and the purpose on earth is very different. There are many similarities as well as differences between the Greek and Roman Mythologies The Greeks and the Romans believed in the same Gods for their respective religion. The two cultures had a God for the same occurrences in their lives. They both had a God or Goddess for everything from the sun and moon down to fertility and wine. Greeks and Romans even believed that there were Gods that ruled over the sky, land, sea, and even the underworld. Although they gave them different names, they still had the same power and ruled over the same areas. In Greek mythology Zeus, is the Father of the Gods and of all mankind. Zeus’ symbol is a lightning bolt, a bull, an eagle, and the oak. He was known to visit multiple mortal women in varied forms from humans to animals. The Romans believed in the exact formalities as the Greeks did when it came to their Father of the Gods, except the Romans gave him the name Jupiter. The physical attributes of the Gods and Goddesses...

Words: 759 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Time Travel

...move chronologically through major periods and styles–from prehistoric culture to 20th Century America–to gain insight into the achievements and ideas in painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, philosophy, religion, and music. Sakoulas, T. (2003-2012). Ancient Greece. Retrieved from http://www.ancient-greece.org/history/classical.html Associate Professor of Art at the State University of New York, College at Oneonta where he teaches Sculpture and Computer Art. He studied sculpture in the USA at Florida International University, and did his graduate work at the Maryland Institute College of Art, in Baltimore, Maryland. His artwork is made with stone, steel, or digital media, and he travels extensively to Greece where he studies Greek art and culture in archaeological sites and museums. Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to travel in time through many different time periods? In my book “Escaping Current Time, and Exploring Ancient Time Periods”...

Words: 1649 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Claasical Sculpture

...on many of the pieces (Wilkinson, 34-37). Subjects of sculptures included the numerous gods and goddesses of the Egyptian pantheon, pharoahs (who were considered divine) and slaves and other figures created for inclusion in burials; these sculptures, along with real items (e.g., chariots) would become part of the deceased’s “estate” in the afterlife (ibid., 64). The majority of Egyptian sculptures were all in the same style, regardless of whether they represented an animal-headed god, a king, or a scribe. The typical pose was frontal and standing, with the arms hanging close to the body, the hands with clenched fists, the left foot slightly advanced, and an ambiguous facial expression. It must be noted that this “typical Egyptian style” is much more a product of the Egyptian belief system and its associated symbology than the artistic imagination or technical competence of Egyptian artisans (ibid., [YOUR LAST NAME] 2 88). The influence of this Egyptian style can be seen on some of the earliest Greek sculptures, particularly those of two important Greek styles. The first of these is the kouros, a figure of a young nude male and the second is the kore, a figure of a young clothed female (Richter, 102-106). The earliest known versions of the kouros and kore are clearly derivatives of Egyptian sculptures. Apart from the difference in subjects (youths rather than religious figures), the Greeks made few innovations. One that is...

Words: 1681 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Ancient Greek Art Research Paper

...The idealized naked male form that has become the standard for the majority of western art, was developed from Ancient Greeks and their cultural importance surrounding the human form. Based off of the assumption that the development of naturalism occurred with the emphasis on the body and bodily experience, the evolution of the figurative representations of human forms and the meaning behind each component can be traced with the cultural progression. Starting with their adoption from the Egyptians to the canon of Polykleitos, the Greeks centered their art work around the praising of life and the contemporary. Each stage of transition would be influenced by their religious beliefs, societal structure, and the maintaining of roles in society....

Words: 931 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Zeus

...Greek gods and goddesses had elaborate and untamed personalities. They had imperfections and shortcomings along with merit and virtue just like humans. Besides their respected powers the Greeks added other things to the gods’ personalities such as: Zeus was known as a philanderer, his wife Hera a nagger, their daughter Aphrodite a loose woman, their son Ares a bully. While the Greeks honored and revered the gods to their faces at the same time making them the butts of countless stories. Many stories depicted them as spoiled, quarrelsome, stingy, jealous, and lacking concern for the human race (Farnell 47). This is pretty much the story for humans in general. If there was one God in Greek mythology it would be Zeus. He is considered the father of the gods and mortals by the Greeks. His roots and overall guidance have been traced back to ancient Indo-Vedic traditions. Zeus and the Vedic sky god, Dyaus, share many similar powers and stories (Smith 189). Zeus is loosely translated to “housemaster” and that is how the Greeks viewed him. The Greek creation stories of Zeus vary widely, but there is one that is generally accepted. Zeus was the youngest son of the Titans Cronus and Rhea and the brother of the deities Poseidon, Hades, Hestia, Demeter, and Hera (Cook v2 17). According to one of the ancient myths of the birth of Zeus, Cronus, fearing that he might be deposed by one of his children, swallowed them as they were born. When Zeus’ birth came to fruition, Rhea wrapped...

Words: 1728 - Pages: 7