WORSHIP OUT OF FEAR Flashcards
INTRODUCTION
Religion - core aspect of Greek society - many gods and goddesses
We can see the extent of worship through temples, offerings, etc.
In this essay we will be analysing literary and archaeological sources to determine if this worship is fuelled by fear In this essay - fear can be a motivation but it’s not the only one.
Homer (influential) - shows that worship can come from both fear and respect
Evidence: Poseidon - antagonist - power (Odyssey Book 5: storm)
Antony Andrews: Gods were concerned, like heroes, with their own honour and rarely human mortality.
Evidence: Athena - patron - protection, advice, patronage
Homer - similar to humans (anthropomorphic) - pick favourite, anger, emotions
Analysis: Can cause fear (damage of the gods) but it allows us to connect to them - respect the gods (reciprocal) - good relationships
Hesiod - fear and respect
Evidence: Fear - gods are very powerful - bad consequences
Evidence: Protection - ‘prosperity’ - Zeus (justice) - punishes the wicked and honours the god
Analysis: Both - more so respect Advice - how to be a good person - honour the gods
Homeric Hymn - fear
Evidence: Power and aggression - we are vulnerable and weak
Evidence: Dispute between gods - Hades has abducted Persephone - Zeus has helped - Demeter is angry - humans pay the consequences
Humans would have starved and died - we couldn’t fight back ourselves Robert Garland: Greeks worshipped the gods not because they “upheld justice or were supremely good beings” but out of fear of their power
Counter: Zeus steps in to save humans
Analysis: Fear - powerful, we are at their mercy - we cannot fight back
Literary evidence - mostly mixed - some fear
ATHENA AS PATRON
Evidence: Vase - protector - honour - she is credited with Athenian success
Evidence: Parthenon - thanking the goddess for prosperity
Panathenaia - festival
Analysis: Respect and pride in their patron goddess
Counter: Homeric Hymn - scary - fear
Analysis: Athenians - positive - protector
Conclusion: Fear is an important element in religion - not the only reason Reciprocal relationships - benefits
Additional Evidence: Never pour gleaming wine to Zeus in the morning with unwashed hands, or to the other immortals, for then they pay no heed, and spit out your prayers. Hesiod, Works and Days 724 – 726
‘For easily he makes strong, and easily he oppresses the strong, easily he diminishes the conspicuous one and magnifies the inconspicuous, and easily he makes the crooked straight and withers the proud – Zeus who thunders on high, who dwells in the highest mountains…There is no way to evade the purpose of Zeus.’ Hesiod, Works and Days 5 – 10, 105
‘Appease the immortal gods with libations and burnt offerings, both when you go to bed and when the holy light returns, so that they may have a gracious heart and spirit towards you, and you may buy other men’s land and not have someone else buy yours.’ Hesiod, Works and Days 338 – 341
If a man is willing to say what he knows to be just, to him wide-seeing Zeus gives prosperity…For those who occupy themselves with violence and wickedness and brutal deeds, Kronos’ son, wide-seeing Zeus, marks out retribution…’ Hesiod, Works and Days 280, 437
Homeric Hymns 11 celebrates her as: Protectress of cities… that fearsome goddess who cares with Ares for warlike works – The sacking of cities, the scream of battle, the clash of the fray – And also ensures the army’s safe parting and homeward return.
