Transcript Polytheism - ripkensworldhistory2

Polytheism
Jamie Lyver
Polytheism
Polytheism is the belief of multiple gods or
deities
Polytheism is a term that came from Greece
Poly meaning- Many (polus)
Theism meaning- God (theos)
Each god usually has a different job or is the god
of a specific element
Popular in many religions today such as
Shintoism, Taoism and Hinduism
Common Deities
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Types of deities often found in polytheism..
Sky God
Death Deity
Mother Goddess
Love Goddess
Creator Deity
Water Deity
Trickster Deity
Life-Death-Rebirth Deity
Culture Hero
God of Music, Arts, Science, Farming and Others
Maps of Origin
Since the earliest civilizations
polytheism has existed, as
humans we have tried to
explain the meaning of life and
forces of nature
Ancient Polytheism
It is believed Polytheism evolved from the idea
of supernatural forces or through nature
Polytheism was present in the earliest
civilizations such as Mesopotamia and Egypt
Greek and Roman Mythology is a classic
example of Polytheism
Mythology and Science
Humans have always wanted to have
explanations for the forces of nature
Association with Gods and Goddesses
Art
People used works of art to help explain the
supernatural
• Beautiful canvases of Goddesses were painted
• In every polytheistic religion astounding
monuments were built for the gods, such as
Ziggurats in Mesopotamia
(God in Sumero Mesopotamia)
Symbols
Mythography is the study of the symbols in
Mythology
Every civilization had its own beliefs and
symbols for their gods
Greek Mythology Symbols
Aphrodite| sceptre, myrtle, dove
Apollo | bow, lyre, laurel
Ares | spear
Artemis | bow, deer
Athena | owl, olive tree
Demeter | sceptre, torch, corn
Dionysus | grape vine, ivy
Hephaestus | axe
Hera | sceptre, diadem, peacock
Hermes | winged boots
Poseidon | trident, horse, bull
Zeus | thunderbolt, eagle, oak
Women in Mythology
Women were extremely important in Mythology
for they were the Goddesses
Women did not share equality
with men, worshiped as
goddesses
http://www.howarddavidjohnson.com/mythic-women.htm
Bibliography
• "Polytheism." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 19 Oct. 2010.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytheism.
• "Gods And Goddesses." Spirituality - AllAboutSpirituality.org. Web. 20 Oct.
2010. http://www.allaboutspirituality.org/Gods-And-Goddesses.htm
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"Women of Mythology; Warriors, Mothers & Virgins: The Art of Howard David
Johnson; Women of Greek, Roman, Norse & Asian Mythology." Realistic Art: The
Art Galleries of Howard David Johnson (Contemporary RealisticArt in
Paintings,Photo-Realistic Drawings,Photographic Art & Realistic Digital Art by
David Johnson). Web. 22 Oct. 2010.
http://www.howarddavidjohnson.com/mythic-women.htm
"Science : Science and Mythology." SEED. Web. 23 Oct. 2010.
http://www.seed.slb.com/v2/FAQView.cfm?ID=420
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"Mythology in Art." Art Cyclopedia: The Fine Art Search Engine. Web. 22 Oct. 2010.
<http://www.artcyclopedia.com/feature-2000-05.html
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"Mythology Symbols - Google Search." Google. Web. 25 Oct. 2010.
<http://www.google.ca/images?hl=en&q=mythology symbols&safe=on&um=1&ie=UTF8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi
Bibliography cont.
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"LINKS : Ancient Mythology, Art & History." THEOI GREEK MYTHOLOGY, Exploring
Mythology & the Greek Gods in Classical Literature & Art. Web. 26 Oct. 2010.
<http://www.theoi.com/Links.html