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While this class was very informative about a variety of religions, I felt this class left out a significant domain of religion; polytheism.  In high school, many students read the Norse, Roman and Hindu myths.  They discuss each story, analyze the character of many gods, and get lost in the intricacies of so many faults, strengths, and love affairs in the tales.  While they are considered literature that is material to understanding the ancient world as well as modern society, mythology is one that is not often explored from a legitimately religious standpoint.  In light of this realization and a recent trip to Greece, I have decided to apply the Geertz definition of religion to ancient Greek mythology.

To briefly overview Greek mythology, it is founded upon the God of the Sun, Zeus, who is the most powerful and a sort of director for the other gods.  These gods are subsequently in charge of other aspects of life, such as Ares, God of War, and Dionysus, God of Wine and Party. All gods are somehow vaguely connected through family and romantic ties, many yielding from Zeus' philandery and his actual marriage to Hera, Goddess of Marriage.  They are involved in many interactions with humans and each other, the latter of which often affects the humans.  Each god has different tendencies and vices, and a separate character that worshipers must appeal to for the best results of their prayer.  This is a very diluted definition of Greek mythology, but will be more exposed as specific myths are presented throughout the explanation of the religion.  

I will begin this description of the ancient Greek religion by restating the Geertz definition of religion; "A system of symbols which acts to establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic."