Religion Hellenistic period

bust of zeus-ammon, deity attributes greek , egyptian gods.

in hellenistic period, there continuity in greek religion: greek gods continued worshiped, , same rites practiced before. socio-political changes brought on conquest of persian empire , greek emigration abroad meant change came religious practices. varied location. athens, sparta , cities in greek mainland did not see religious change or new gods (with exception of egyptian isis in athens), while multi-ethnic alexandria had varied group of gods , religious practices, including egyptian, jewish , greek. greek emigres brought greek religion everywhere went, far india , afghanistan. non-greeks had more freedom travel , trade throughout mediterranean , in period can see egyptian gods such serapis, , syrian gods atargatis , hadad, jewish synagogue, coexisting on island of delos alongside classical greek deities. common practice identify greek gods native gods had similar characteristics , created new fusions zeus-ammon, aphrodite hagne (a hellenized atargatis) , isis-demeter. greek emigres faced individual religious choices had not faced on home cities, gods worshiped dictated tradition.

cybele, phrygian mother goddess, enthroned, lion, cornucopia , mural crown.

hellenistic monarchies closely associated religious life of kingdoms ruled. had been feature of macedonian kingship, had priestly duties. hellenestic kings adopted patron deities protectors of house , claimed descent them. seleucids example took on apollo patron, antigonids had herakles, , ptolemies claimed dionysus among others.

the worship of dynastic ruler cults feature of period, notably in egypt, ptolemies adopted earlier pharaonic practice, , established god-kings. these cults associated specific temple in honor of ruler such ptolemaieia @ alexandria , had own festivals , theatrical performances. setting of ruler cults more based on systematized honors offered kings (sacrifice, proskynesis, statues, altars, hymns) put them on par gods (isotheism) on actual belief of divine nature. according peter green, these cults did not produce genuine belief of divinity of rulers among greeks , macedonians. worship of alexander popular, in long lived cult @ erythrae , of course, @ alexandria, tomb located.

the hellenistic age saw rise in disillusionment traditional religion. rise of philosophy , sciences had removed gods many of traditional domains such role in movement of heavenly bodies , natural disasters. sophists proclaimed centrality of humanity , agnosticism; belief in euhemerism (the view gods ancient kings , heroes), became popular. popular philosopher epicurus promoted view of disinterested gods living far away human realm in metakosmia. apotheosis of rulers brought idea of divinity down earth. while there seem have been substantial decline in religiosity, reserved educated classes.

magic practiced widely, , this, too, continuation earlier times. throughout hellenistic world, people consult oracles, , use charms , figurines deter misfortune or cast spells. developed in era complex system of astrology, sought determine person s character , future in movements of sun, moon, , planets. astrology associated cult of tyche (luck, fortune), grew in popularity during period.