What did the ancient Greeks believe in? - BBC Bitesize

Who were the gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece?

Athena wears armour, holds an owl and a spear. Poseidon wears a blue toga and holds a trident - a three-pronged fork with a long handle that is as tall as him. — Image caption,
Athena and Poseidon were two Greek gods

The ancient Greeks believed in many gods and goddesses, each with special powers and roles. The Greeks thought that these mythical beings watched over them. They told myths to explain nature, teach lessons and celebrate heroes.

In Ancient Greece, religion was a part of everyday life, with festivals, temples and sacrifices to honour the gods.

The Greeks believed the gods lived in Mount Olympus, in a palace in the clouds.

Gods could send storms if they were angry and decide who was victorious in wars.

Zeus was the king of the gods.

A Greek coin showing Pegasus and the goddess Athena. — Image caption,
A Greek coin showing Pegasus and the goddess, Athena.

Important words for the ancient Greeks

Keyword	Definition
Myths	Traditional stories that explain the world, nature or teach lessons, often involving gods and heroes.
Gods and Goddesses	Powerful beings the ancient Greeks believed controlled different parts of life and nature.
Mount Olympus	The mountain the ancient Greeks believed was the home of the gods.
Temples	Special buildings built for the gods. People went there to pray, leave gifts and ask for help.
Festivals	Celebrations held to honour the gods, often with music, food and games.
Worship	Showing respect and love for a god through prayers, rituals and offerings.

Activity 1: Interactive – Greek gods and goddesses

Each god and goddess had power over a different aspect of life or the world.

Click below to find out a bit more about them.

Where did the ancient Greeks believe their gods lived?

Grey mountains are slightly covered by white clouds. The sky is bright blue with a few soft clouds, and there are green trees at the bottom. — Image caption,
Mount Olympus, Greece.

The gods were believed to live high above the clouds on Mount Olympus, the tallest mountain in Greece.
People imagined it as a grand place with golden thrones and beautiful gardens.
Each god had their own special room or hall within the palace.
Ancient Greeks believed that gods would meet on Mount Olympus to discuss important issues and make decisions about the world.
Mount Olympus felt mysterious and magical to the ancient Greeks because it was so high and difficult to climb.
It was thought that only the gods and certain heroes could travel to Olympus.

What were Greek temples like?

Temples were built to honour the gods and goddesses.

Some were small, but others were huge and beautifully decorated with carvings and statues.

The most famous temple was the Parthenon in Athens.

The Parthenon on top of the Acropolis — Image caption,
The most famous temple in Greece was the Parthenon in Athens. Inside stood a giant statue of Athena, the patron goddess of the city.

Inside temples, people placed statues of the gods. People visited temples to pray, give thanks or ask for help.

Offerings could be money, food, flowers or drinks to honour the gods.

Temples were often the centre of religious festivals.

How did the ancient Greeks worship their gods?

A picture on an old orange and black piece of pottery shows six people standing and holding things like sticks, spears and musical instruments. They look like they are dressed in ancient clothes. — Image caption,
Ancient Greek pottery showing the art and stories of the time.

Worship was a way to thank, honour and ask for help from the gods.

People visited temples to pray and light candles as part of their worship.

Offerings could include food, wine, flowers or precious objects. Some people sacrificed animals as part of special religious rituals.

Worship could happen at home as well as in public places.

People believed that honouring the gods would bring good fortune, health and safety. Ancient Greeks believed that if they did not worship the gods properly, they would have bad luck or punishment.

What were festivals for in ancient Greece?

An old orange and black vase shows six men running in a race. They are drawn in black with simple lines, and the background is bright orange. — Image caption,
Some festivals, like the Olympic Games, were held every four years for Zeus.

Festivals were large celebrations to honour the gods.
People took part in races, music, plays and feasts.
Some festivals, like the Olympic Games, were held every four years for Zeus.
These events brought the community together and showed their love and respect for the gods.
Festivals gave communities a break from work.
Offerings and sacrifices were often made during festivals to thank the gods for protection or good harvest.

Why were myths important to the ancient Greeks?

A centaur with the top half of a person and the bottom half of a horse. The creature is holding a bow and arrow, ready to shoot. The picture is orange on a black background inside a round border with a pattern. — Image caption,
Figures such as centaurs play an important role in Greek myths.

Myths were traditional stories passed down through generations.

They explained things that were hard to understand, like why the sun rises or why the seasons change. Many myths explained natural events like earthquakes, storms or volcanoes.

Myths taught moral lessons about bravery, kindness and respect. Heroes like Perseus, Theseus and Hercules showed how cleverness and courage could defeat monsters.

Myths often feature gods, goddesses, magical creatures and powerful weapons.

People told mythical stories during festivals, around fires and even acted them out in plays. Myths helped people feel connected to their religion and history.

Who was the Greeks' favourite hero?

Heracles takes aim of his bow and arrow at the approaching metallic Stymphalian birds — Image caption,
One of the 12 legendary tasks of Heracles was to defeat the Stymphalian birds. These man-eating metallic birds were the pets of the god Ares.

The Greeks favourite hero was Heracles (the Romans called him Hercules).
Heracles was Zeus’s son. He was so strong he could kill a lion with his bare hands.
Heracles was very brave, but he was killed when he was tricked into putting on a poisoned robe.
However, Zeus liked Heracles so much that he made him immortal.

What happened to Greeks when they died?

The three headed dog, Cerberus, guarding the Underworld. — Image caption,
The entrance to the Underworld was guarded by a three headed dog called Cerberus.

The Greeks believed that the dead went to the Underworld.
This was an underground kingdom ruled by the god Hades.
To reach the Underworld, dead souls had to cross the River Styx.
After crossing the River Styx, three judges decided where the dead person should spend eternity.
If they’d been really good, they were sent to live happily forever in the Elysian Fields.

Think like a historian

Orange thought bubble that says Thinking Points!

Have a look at the thinking points below and think about your answer to each question. You could even write them down on a piece of paper or discuss them with somebody else if you want to.

How did myths help people understand the world and how does that compare to how we explain things today?
Why might festivals have been important for community life in ancient Greece and how is this similar or different from festivals today?
What does imagining the gods on Mount Olympus tell us about Greek beliefs and values?

Activity 2: Quiz – Greek gods and heroes

Game: The Argo Odyssey

Argo the dog is missing! He was last spotted inside a magnificent temple.

Play the game to make a sacred offering to the gods and goddesses. There are lots more mini-games and puzzles about life in Ancient Greece. Escape from the Minotaur's maze and defeat the terrifying Medusa.