Scholarship and Critics

Question 1

“Greek religion was a religion of practice…”

Answer 1

“…not of doctrine” – E.R. Dodds.

Dodds argues that Greek religion was focused on ritual action not belief. It was about performing the correct rituals (orthopraxy)

Question 2

“Rituals serve to create…”

Answer 2

“…a sense of unity” – Walter Burkert.

Burkert emphasises that rituals unite people in common purpose and reinforce shared identity making them integral to community cohesion.

Question 3

“Each polis had its own set of gods and rituals…”

Answer 3

“…leading to a diverse religious landscape” – Jon Mikalson

highlights the local nature of Greek religion where each city-state developed its own distinct gods and religious practices.

Question 4

“Religion was inseparable…”

Answer 4

“…from the life of the polis” – Robert Garland.

Garland stresses that religion wasn’t separate from politics or civic life and was crucial to participation in society.

Question 5

“Religious participation by women was frequent…”

Answer 5

“…but often restricted” – Sue Blundell

Blundell argues that although women participated in religious rituals their roles were often secondary

Question 6

“Religion both reflected…”

Answer 6

“…and reinforced the social hierarchy” – Esther Eidinow.

Eidinow suggests that religion helped maintain the social structure reinforcing class and gender divisions