Greece paganism is a religion that has interested me since as far back as I can remember, It wasn't taught to me by my parents or told to me by some old fanatic. It just came to my interest when I read book on the subject by Edith Hamilton. It was not the wording, persay, but the stories themselves that intrigued me. The stories of the love between Gods, their suffering for man, their ignorance. It was like a fantasy story, however, the more I read, the more I understood. The Gods that loved, got their hearts broken; the Gods that suffered for man, suffered to bettere themselves; and their ignorance was a ploy.

The Gods became ruler over the earth, because they went to war against their parents, the Titans. The war is not very descript in any text, but the texts do say that a battle took place that the Gods won, making them now rulers of the earth. The 'head God' was zeus, the God of thunder. he was married to his sister Hera, the goddes of childbirth. He conceived many children, Aphrodite, Persophone, Hebe, Hephaestus and Ares (Ares being the only one that was actually conceived from Hera)etc. There were also many many other children, conceived from mortal women and made into demi-Gods and heros; Heracles, Artemis, Achilles, and even King Alexander. These are just rumors, but from these heroes feats, many conclude that the rumors were true.

The ruling place of the Gods was said to be at the top of Mount Olympus. That is were the God's met and consorted, laughing with each other and deceiving each other; reeking of the sacrafices of their ever obediant followers. Many wrongs were done on Mount Olympus between the Gods, but being Gods, they looked on it as a mere fly upon their skin. In one instance, there was an affair that took place. Aphrodite, the Goddes of love and beauty, was married to Hephaestus, the God of fire and mettalurgy(who was cast out of olympus because of a deformity). Aphrodite, being the Goddess of love, could not settle with just one man, therefore, she began having an affair with Ares, the God of War. In their escepades they had a child, Cupid. Hephastaeus for the longest time thought cupid to be his child, but he found out from cupid himself that Aphrodite was cheating on him with Ares. With his mind now clear, he confronted Ares about the ordeal. What happened next is not verifyed in any way, for some texts say that they yelled at each other, and others say that they actually fought, but either way, nothing came from it but a large headache.

There was never a distinc 'end of the world' for the Gods, no texts can be found about doomsday. The closest thing that can be found about the end is in the death of people. When they die they are transported to the underworld, there they stay for eternity, although some of their souls have been bargined for in some poems, most will stay in the underworld. The underworld is guarded by a three headed dog, Cerberus, and is ruled by the God of the underwolrd, Hades. The underworld consist of 2 basic 'realms.' The first is known as Tartarus; this is were the Titans were imprisoned after their battle with the Gods, also said to be the home to all damned souls. The next realm is called the Elysian Fields (or plains), this is basically equivilant to the Christian heaven; this is were all the heros and just men go after they pass. It is said that Kronos, the father of the Titans, rules over the plains, but others say that he still lies in Tartarus, suffering for eternity.

Greek paganism is not very prevelant today, except in some modern paganistic religions. This is why it is classifyed under a mythology, however it would be best suited if it were given some religious name, since mythology is the study of myth (things once beleived in that don't exist). Therefore I do not think that we can call it a 'myth.' If so then Christisanity would also be a mythology, as would Islamic beleifs, and Hinduism. In the end, the factor of what it is comes down to opinion, it has been for years, and it will continue to be. The basis of it now is high school literature, and something to dwell upon as a fantasy, but their are some who dwell upon it as a reality. These are the 'witches' and 'devil worshipers' of society, but just like us they love, and just like us they suffer, just like us they are ever ignorant.

Well written and well said Jordan. Your point on the idea of mythology vs. religion is well taken. However, the next time I see you, we will have a discussion regarding your comment "or told to me by some old fanatic"". /huh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />

Greek paganism is not very prevelant today, except in some modern paganistic religions. This is why it is classifyed under a mythology, however it would be best suited if it were given some religious name, since mythology is the study of myth (things once beleived in that don't exist). Therefore I do not think that we can call it a 'myth.' If so then Christisanity would also be a mythology, as would Islamic beleifs, and Hinduism. In the end, the factor of what it is comes down to opinion, it has been for years, and it will continue to be. The basis of it now is high school literature, and something to dwell upon as a fantasy, but their are some who dwell upon it as a reality. These are the 'witches' and 'devil worshipers' of society, but just like us they love, and just like us they suffer, just like us they are ever ignorant.

There are many who would love to categorize all religion into the rhelm of mythology. I would love the Bible incorporated into HS curriculum, and college for that matter, NOT as a religion BUT as Biblical Literature class. Countless works have Biblical allusions and metaphors which are NOT understood by the average consumer and these misconceptions are often morphed into "witches" and " devil worshipers." I love it when people assume religious positions based on what is portrayed in the movies, etc.

Wasn't the Greco/Roman pantheon adapted by the Church in the creation of Sainthood during its rise to power/prominence?

Huh?

And the Romans invented concrete and the arch.

wha? Oh and a note…Edith Hamilton's book was part of the text material used in our mythology classes in high school for YEARS AND YEARS. I actually own two different copies of the book one with a black cover and one with a white cover w/Perseus holding Medusa's head