Which civilisations were influenced by ancient Greek religion and how?

  • Period: 1200 BCE to 323 BCE

    Ancient Greece civilisation

    Ancient Greek religion with its pantheon of gods and goddesses in its established form were mainly developed in the Mycenaean Period (1600-1200 BCE). However, evidence suggests that Greeks could have been worshipping Zeus, the sky god, as early as the 2nd millennium.
  • Period: 900 BCE to 27 BCE

    Etruscan civilisation

    The Etruscans absorbed significant Greek elements during the Orientalizing Period (750-600 BCE), when trade between Greece escalated, and many Etruscan deities gained Greek counterparts. Etruscan's main gods, Tinia, Uni and Menvra, were equivalents to Greek gods Zeus, Hera and Athena. However, their civilization ended when they were absorbed by Rome civilisation in 27 BCE.
  • Period: 753 BCE to 476

    Ancient Rome civilisation

    Greece expanded their territory to the Italian Peninsula and Sicily in 800 BCE, leading to frequent encounters with Romans. However, it wasn't until around 146 BCE when Rome conquered Greece that Greek deities significantly influenced the gradual development of Roman deities. Rome adopted Greek gods, but modified and renamed them for Roman context. The Etruscans also influenced Rome with their adaptions of Greek religion- Minerva named after Etruscan Menvra, which were both influenced by Athena.
  • Period: 550 BCE to 330 BCE

    Ancient Persia Civilisation

    The Persians honoured Artemis, mostly during the Persian Era in 547-334 BCE, especially at her temple in Ephesus, although she was considered an Iranian divinity but with a Greek name.