Ancient Greek Mythology: Photo Gallery
Ancient Greek Mythology, Religion, Art
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There seems to be less religious diversity today than in the past. The ancient world saw different religions for each tribe or tribal group, and even great variations within each religion, today most of humanity follows a few large world religions. One consequence of this is that too many people's understanding of religion has narrowed considerably, especially given how similar Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are. Westerners especially tend to see religion generally through the lens of those particular religions, thus creating an inaccurate understanding of what religion can be.
One might hope that atheists would be a bit less likely to succumb to such errors, given how common it is for atheists to have done personal research on the nature of religion, but that doesn't seem to be the case. On the contrary, the need to counter Christian apologists and Christian evangelization may cause many atheists to be especially narrow in their understanding of religion, which is unfortunately ironic because an appreciation for the diverse nature of religion can actually aid in religious critique and anti-theological arguments.
Studying ancient religions, which were often very different from modern religions, is a good means for broadening one's perspective and understanding of religion generally. Greek religion in particular is a good subject of study since most people are already at least somewhat familiar with it, but because they conceive of it as "mythology" rather than "religion," they don't yet recognize the implications of it all. Perhaps a more conscious and directed study of ancient Greek beliefs can draw together threads of knowledge which already exist in a manner that helps them relate to questions about contemporary religion and religious debates.
| Image Gallery: Greek Mythology, Religion, Iconography | |
 Maps of Ancient Greece |
 Religious Rituals, Festivals, Sacrifices |
| Image Gallery: Historical Roots of Greek Mythology & Religion | |
 Greek Mythology & Troy |
 Crete & Minoan Religion |
 Mycenaean Religion, Culture, and Art |
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| Image Gallery: Myths & Legends from Greek Mythology & Religion | |
 Immortals: Gods, Goddesses, Titans, and Demigods of Greek Mythology |
 Mortals: Heroes of Legend and Greek Mythology |
| Image Gallery: Art & Architecture of Greek Mythology & Religion | |
 Greek Temples: Development, Layout, Structure |
 Sacred Buildings and Archaeological Sites Around Greece |
Major Sources for Greek Mythology, Religion, Art:
- The Encyclopedia of Religion, edited by Mircea Eliade.
- The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization, edited by Simon Hornblower & Anthony Spawforth.
- Greece and Rome: Builders of Our World
- Mythology: Myths, Legends, and Fantasies, edited by Janet Paerk and Julie Stanton.
- The Atlas of Legendary Places, James Harpur and Jennifer Westwood.
- The Oxford Illustrated Prehistory of Europe, edited by Barry Cunliffe.
- Time Frame 3000 - 1500 BCE: The Age of God-Kings
- Time Frame 1500 - 600 BCE: Barbarian Tides
- Time Frame 600 - 400 BCE: A Soaring Spirit
- Griechische Kunst
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