Gods and nature in Greece

Text is written by MYRTLE LANGLEY

IN ANCIENT GREECE, nature was seen to the power of life and was therefore sacred. A mountain was the sky god`s throne; the god`s worshippers climbed it to pray from rain, not to admire the view. Every tree had its own spirit; the oak was sacred to Zeus, the olive to Athena, the laurel to Apollo, myrtle to Aphrodite.

Groves were considered especially holy and were used as places of refuge. Each spring also had its nymph, each river its god and the sea was home to many deities and spirits. Every area of life was overseen by a deity. People could choose the god they thought would help them best.

The gods intervened in human life as and when they chose, helping those they liked, and harming others.