Ancient Greek gods and goddesses

QUESTION: Were the ancient Greek gods and goddesses based on real people?

ANSWER:

Ancient Greek gods and goddesses are mythical. Interestingly, the ancient Greek gods and goddesses have no definite foundation, which makes them even more fantasy than might have been previously imagined. These humanly formed men and women, who just as readily took the shape and size of more alien or monster beings, were not based on hero humans. Almost an equal number of sources from historians conclude that the Greeks imagined the existence as based it upon real natives.

For those who believe there is basis for the ancient superheroes, the Greek gods and goddesses descended from human parents into a body that was incredibly capable for god-ish acts. Basically, they were machos born to a non-macho. For those who believe the gods were imagined, these mythical forms either always existed or else appeared out of the sky without warning. With both cases, there were relations between the beings similar to a human family, with husbands and wives, children and siblings, though acts of polygamy and adultery run rampant.

Chaos, for example, created all and gave birth to Gaea, who governed the underworld, while Uranus, overseer of mountains, the sea and all other gods and goddesses, had some sort of intimate relationship with Gaea and brought Cyclopes, ruler of the thunderbolts, into the world. Gaea also parented Tartarus and Eros, who, as well, had their own branch of government.

Regardless of the origin, however, whether by eternal existence or human birth, these ancient Greek gods and goddesses' lives were sometimes, by some Greeks, considered to be allegorical and always regarded as holy beings. They were looked up to-pardon the pun-by their followers as an example for life and interacting with fellow humans. The boldness, bravery, justice, peace, or anger they exhibited in a situation, be they on a mission to bring death to a violator or joy to a burdened soul, was seen as the standard to be emulated.

The ancient Greek gods and goddesses have always and will always have diversified meaning. To some they were and still are the source of religious ceremony and tribute, worship and joy while to others they will continue to be a mere superstitious myth that can be researched and imaginatively pursued for personal enjoyment. In either case, still no solid basis for origin exists and yet, through the ages and centuries, this seems to make little difference.