Hellenism

Hellenism
"See that bird overthere? That's Zeus."
Basic Information
Aliases	Graeco-Roman Religion Classical Mythology ελληνισμός (in Greek)
Alignments	Ancient Greek Philosophy Pagan
Philosophical Influences
Influenced by	Paganism
Influenced	Gnosticism Platoism
Philosophical Information
Notable Theorists	The 12 Thrones of Olympus (and other gods) Zeus Hera Poseidon Demeter Ares Athena Apollo Artemis Hephaestus Aphrodite Hermes Dionysus Hades
Notable Examples	Ancient Greece
Variations
Sub-Philosophies	Roman Religion wip
Character Information
Likes	Ancient Greece All the hellenic gods Hellenistic folk Greek myths

Hellenism is a polytheist ancient Greek religion originated in ancient Greece/Hellas which few now profess. Religion belives in the 12 main Greek gods of the pantheon. In modern times, religion is considered part of Neo-Paganism. He believes in all the gods of the greek mythology. He is usually seen with other pagan balls.

Beliefs

Hellenism had many original beliefs that have been lost, meaning moderns groups follow reconstructions based off of elements of ancient Greek religion and honoring Greek gods, but with heavily syncretic elements drawn from Hermeticism and 19th century folklore studies. Many of these modern reconstructionists are neopagan groups, such as Wicca and Thelema.

Gods

In hellenism there are many gods that incarnate aspects of the universe, this can be moral, elements and objects.

Hellenism believes in the 12 olympian gods of the Greek Pantheon, as well as Greek mythology.

Creation of the universe

Before anything there was only Chaos a god without form that existed in the void. From the void the primordial gods were created forming the first generation of gods.

First generations

The first generation or primordial deities were the first gods in greek mythology.

• Gaia - goddess of earth.
• Uranus - god of the sky.
• Nyx - goddess of night.
• Erebus - god of darkness.
• Eros - god of love and... Other forms of love.
• Hestia - the oldest and the youngest, goddess of the home fire.
• Hera - goddess of marriage.
• Demeter - goddess of fertility and harvest.

Second generation

The second generation or Titans were the children of Gaia and Uranus.

• Oceanus - Titan god of rivers and oceanus.
• Coeus - Titan god of intelligence.
• Crius - Titan god of constelations.
• Hyperion - Titan god of light and father of Helios.
• Lapetus - Titan god of craftsmanship/moral (depending on the source).
• Theia - Titan goddess of sight.
• Rhea - Titan goddess of fertility and mother of Zeus.
• Themis - Titan goddess of law and order.
• Mnemosyne - Titan goddess of memory.
• Phoebe - Titan goddess of prophecy and oraculus.
• Tethys - Titan daughter and wife of Oceanus, goddess of freshwater.

And last but not least

• Cronus - Titan god of time, father of gods (between them Zeus) that ate his children.

Olympian gods

The olympian gods were the gods from both the thrid and first generation that defeated the Titans and became all-powerfull.

• Zeus (Jupiter) - god of thunder and king of gods.
• Hera (Junona) - goddess of marriage. Wife of Zeus.
• Poseidon (Neptune) - god of water.
• Demeter (Ceres) - goddess of fertility and harvest.
• Athena (Minerva) - goddess of wisdom.
• Apollo (Febus) - god of light, the Sun, prophecy, philosophy, archery, truth, inspiration, poetry, music, arts, manly beauty, medicine, healing, and plague.
• Artemis (Diana) - goddess of hunt.
• Ares (Mars) - god of war no, not that god of war
• Aphrodite (Venus/Venera) - goddess of love and lust.
• Hephaestus (Vulcan) - god of craftsmen.
• Hermes (Mercury) - god of information.

The last god in the list varies depending on the version, the positions is usually between

• Hestia (Vesta) - the oldest and the youngest, goddess of the home fire.
• Dionysus (Bachus) - god of madness, gaming, art and wine.

Others

• Hades (Pluto) - god of the underworld and death.
• Helios (Sol) - the sun himself.

Concepts and values

Eusebeia

Eusebia (Εὐσέβεια) is often translated as piety or reverence towards the gods, it can also be translated as right action, and is often used similarly to the term dharma in Hinduism. The focus of Eusebeia for modern Hellenists is to act in a way that honors the gods and goddesses, and by extension other sentient beings, rather than to adhere to a particular set of beliefs. Eusebeia is central to modern Hellenist practice and is one of Hellenism's most important virtues. This concept inspired many other religions since the is the principle of well behaving.

Arete

Arete (Ἀρετή) is one of the main principles of Hellenism and Greek philosophy and it's often translated as excellence or moral virtue. Arete is intrinsic to the concept of living up to one's potential. For modern Hellenists, arete is one of the most important virtues, and it is believed that cultivating it will lead to a good life of happiness and prosperity. Cultivating arete is not limited to just one domain, but also refers to the improvement of all aspects of one's existence. In the Iliad and Odyssey of Homer, "arete" is used mainly to describe heroes and nobles and their mobile dexterity, with special reference to strength and courage, but it is not limited to this. Penelope's arete, for example, relates to co-operation, for which she is praised by Agamemnon. The excellence of the gods generally included their power, but, in the Odyssey, the gods can grant excellence to a life, which is contextually understood to mean prosperity.

Xenia

Xenia (Ξενία) is the concept of hospitality and is sometimes translated as 'guest-friendship' or 'ritualized friendship'.It is an institutionalized relationship, rooted in generosity, gift exchange, and reciprocity; fundamental aspects of xenia. Good behavior with other people is a virtude that will get you rewarded, this is other of the most influential aspects of Hellenic religions that influenced others. Historically, hospitality towards foreigners (Hellenes not of your polis) and guests was a moral obligation. Hospitality towards foreign Hellenes honored Zeus Xenios (and Athena Xenia) patrons of foreigners.In aristocratic circles, as early as the Homeric epics, it was as a sort of fictitious kinship, cemented not only by ties of hospitality and gift exchange but by an obligation to promote the interests of the xenos. Theoxenia is a theme in Greek mythology in which human beings demonstrate their virtue or piety by extending hospitality to a humble stranger (xenos), who turns out to be a disguised deity (theos) with the capacity to bestow rewards. In modern meaning this could mean hospitality towards immigrants and refugees.

Tartarus

Is the place were the titans were send to suffer. In some schools is a god.

Underworld

Also called Hades by Hellenized Judaism and Second Temple Judaism, is the place were the spirit of a person is separated from his body after death. A huge misconception is that is the equivalent of the Christian hell while in reality the underworld is the place were everyone goes after dying. Those who are punished were those considered "unworthy" but the considered as righteous live a good life. This is the kingdom of Hades who is not inherently evil, in facts, is described as altruist.

Elysium

Heroes are sent to the Elysium were they become immortal, is similar to the Heathenry's valhalla.

Personality

It's a very influential guy, violent at times (depending on the city, in Sparta is gay) that is always venerating his multiple gods. It is used to be philosopher but now lives on past glories.

Symbolics

Tutorial

Greek

1. Draw a circle (by hand!).
2. Draw the eyes.
3. Fill with blue color.
4. Draw a white lightning bolt.
5. DONE!

Latin / Roman

1. Draw a circle (by hand!).
2. Draw the eyes.
3. Fill with red color.
4. Draw a yellow lightning bolt.
5. DONE!

Relations

Friends

• Spartan System - Sparta was based
• Athenian Democracy - Athens was a great city state and invented democracy some people even still belive in it .
• Hedonism - We must give in to the madness of the gods!
• Thalassocracy - Hail Poseidon
• Necrocracy - All hail lord Hades (I hope i get into Elysium)
• Flat Earth Theory - Of course the earth is round just like the sky is a dome
• Paganism - Based

Frenemies

• Hellenistic Judaism - Best israelites! Wait... You don't believe in the rest of the gods?

Enemies

• Christianity - OUR RELIGION WILL NOT BE EXPIRED! burn this, Burn This, BURN THIS!
• Orthodoxy - You tried to replace us with this evil Christianism!
• Kemetism - I am more developed than you. My gods are better!
• Diagoras of Melos - You son of the b*tch! You betrayed us!
• Zoroastrianism - Your Persia was once ours!

Further Information

Wikipedia

• Hellenism
• Classical mythology