Well, the Greeks believed that everything that happened to them was because a God or Goddess chose it to. Deities(gods) were a big part of Greeks lives because they believed that when the gods chose their fate, it was to happen. This affected them in a spiritual way because it made them believers about the gods in their world. In addition, for example, the Greeks would have a celebration in honor of Deiynisus, god of wine, and would put on plays, and as a result this celebration built upon classic greek tragedies, such as Oedipus written by Sophicles.
Nothing because they were not real.
They did all kind of god stuff for the Greeks like , they provide food and more of that stuff !
Answer number two: The Greek gods had a ubiquitous effect on history, not only Greek, but all of western civilization. Their impact on Christianity cannot be minimized. The virgin birth, for example, comes straight from stories about Perseus and Dionysius. The whole god-man concept of Chalcedonian Christology would not have been possible without the demi-god status of Hercules, Achilles, and the heroes of Greek story. The "dual nature" of Jesus is not a Biblical doctrine, it was first expounded at the church councils of the 4th century, and is based more on Greek myth than on Jewish doctrine.
The doctrine of the trinity has only the sketchiest support in scripture, but is present in the Roman view of Mars-Jupiter-Quirinus as well as the Greek view of the tripartite moon: Selena-Artemis-Hekate.
The Jewish view of redemption is based on God honoring the sacrifice of an innocent by sparing the congregation of Israel. See the story of Eleazar in 2 Maccabees. God counted the martyrdom of the innocent Eleazar and his six brothers as a sacrifice to impute righteousness to the congragation of Israel. This is substantially different from the eventual Christian doctrine of joining with the deity and becoming righteous by particpating in god's death.
The Christian view of redemption comes from the Greek gods. Dionysus, Persephone and Adonis became mystery cults at places like Eleusis, Byblos and Delphi where the faithful became one with the god through re-enacting his or her life, death and resurrection.
Needless to say, the effect that Christianity has had on western civilization is beyond the scope of this answer.
Greek mythology affected every aspect of the Greek peoples' lives, from when they ate to when they planted their crops. The Greek people created deities to explain certain everyday things such as winter, why it rained, where did an echo come from, etc. Therefore, everything they did was centered around their gods and goddesses. They had rituals for their dead, the harvest and so much more. Basically, everything the Greeks did was centered around mythology.
Oh, completely! We get our language from the greeks. And if you look close enough, the greek gods' statues are everywhere and a lot of greek carvings are carved into builds. The carvings are drawings of greek events...
So I would say YES
Greek mythology is the second most comparasin used in American literature, after The Bible. W/O it, we wouldn't understand things like Wise as an owl (the symbol of Athena), or as strong as Heracles/Hercules(Greek/Roman). We also wouldn't have great peices of literature like The Odyssey or have characters like Hercules.
Greek mythology did not influence the philosophy a lot. Their philosophy is usually based purely on logic. Because their philosophies actually opposed Greek myths some philosophers (like Socrates) were put to death.
Firstly, greek mythology was focused mainly on ideals, or the value system that the greeks held. For example the beginning of the world in greek mythology starts with chaos, then leading to love, hate and order. These ideals can be seen demonstrated in the way that the Greeks lived, they considered these ideals to be the judging point of where they went after they died.
Also, Greek Mythology can often be seen on the remains of Ancient Grecian pottery, vases, and tapestries. Gods and goddesses were drawn in an attempt to prove their importance to the Greek Culture as well as to constantly remind the gods that they were held deeply to the hearts of Grecians.
Mythology of all cultures deeply affected the culture itself because it shaped the foundations of the way the culture lived. For more examples try googling it or looking it up in an encyclopedia. It's surprising what you will find.
Elements of Greek mythology were absorbed by other religions. For example, the picture of God that many people have in their mind--of an old, bearded man--is adapted from Zeus.
because they explained how things work
That is a rather broad question. Greek mythology somewhat played a role in shaping philosophy; however, there has always been a fine line between religion and philosophy, which has, and will, always be debated. An example of Greek mythology playing a role in the evolution of philosophy *directly* would be in the death of Socrates, who was convicted of corrupting the youth and impiety and put to death.
by watching cartoons
Greek mythology has had influence on the culture, the arts, the literature and remains part of Western heritage and language.
Many Roman gods were direct copies of Greek gods simply renamed; as in Zeus becoming Jupiter, Hades becoming Pluto, etc.
the greek influence was only in philosophy and art
First the Greek, later the Roman culture.
That is a rather broad question. Greek mythology somewhat played a role in shaping philosophy; however, there has always been a fine line between religion and philosophy, which has, and will, always be debated. An example of Greek mythology playing a role in the evolution of philosophy *directly* would be in the death of Socrates, who was convicted of corrupting the youth and impiety and put to death.
by watching cartoons
Greek mythology has had influence on the culture, the arts, the literature and remains part of Western heritage and language.
Many Roman gods were direct copies of Greek gods simply renamed; as in Zeus becoming Jupiter, Hades becoming Pluto, etc.
Democracy, Olympics, Philosophy, Mythology, Athletics, Religion, Social Classes
the sky and all of the gods of Greek mythology
The same way as any religion influences people's lives.
There are schools that offer degrees in Greek Mythology. Many schools also offer a degree called "Classics" which includes Greek and Roman Mythology. You usually have to learn Greek and/or Latin as well so you can read the classics in their native language. Another similar degree you may wish to persue is Greek Philosophy.
with movie like percy jackson and lord of the rings
Friedrich Solmsen has written: 'Kleine Schriften' -- subject(s): Ancient Philosophy, Greek philology, Philosophy, Ancient 'The Eleatic One in Melissus' -- subject(s): Melissus, Eleatics 'Hesiod and Aeschylus' -- subject(s): Criticism and interpretation, Gods, Greek, in literature, Greek Religious drama, Greek literature, History, History and criticism, Influence, Influence (Literary, artistic, etc.), Mythology, Greek, in literature, Religion, Religious drama, Greek, Tragedy 'Antiphonstudien' -- subject(s): Ancient Oratory, Ancient Rhetoric, Oratory, Ancient, Rhetoric, Ancient, Trial practice 'Two crucial decisions in Herodotus' -- subject(s): Ancient History, Historiography, History, History, Ancient 'Plato's theology' -- subject(s): God, Religion 'Cleanthes or Posidonius?' 'Electra and Orestes' -- subject(s): Orestes (Greek mythology), Electra (Greek mythology)
well the people needed reasons to explain why things took place so they invented gods and the Greek mythology