POLYTHEISM

POLYTHEISM
• A BELIEF IN MANY DEITIES

• A deity is a supernatural being of

significant power

• “Polytheism” is from the Greek:

poly = many • theo = deities
• Many scholars believe that polyth
eism evolved from animistic
beliefs
• Animism was the belief in many
spiritual forces, some friendly and
some hostile.
• Over time, these spirits were seen to
have more complicated and individual
personalities
• These deities, or “gods,” hav
e individual skills, needs,
desires, and histories
• The believed the gods and
goddes ruled and live in the
heavens, the earth and the
underworld.
• They often have humanli
ke personalities, but with
additional
powers or abilities
• It was easy for humans to
understand these
personalities
• The deities would argue,
fight, have children, play
games–
all the things that humans
do
• Complex mythologies
evolved as humans
imagined the deities
interacting with each other
• These myths and legends
could be used to explain n
atural
phenomena such as the
seasons or the creation of
the world
• Built lavish temples for
various gods and this
temples were seen as
houses for the gods or
kings to whom they
were dedicated.
Polytheistic Religions Many ancient
societies had polytheistic religions:
• Classical Greece and Rome • Ancient
Egypt • Vikings • Aztecs • Ancient India
(Hinduism)