Polytheism,+Shamanism,+and+Animism+(During+the+Classical+Period)

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 * //Polytheism, Shamanism, and Animism during the Classical Period// **

= **Polytheism ** =

Written by Ali A, Ms. Lumpkin P.8 **Polytheism** is the belief of multiple (more than one) gods/deities. These Gods usually have different qualities to differentiate themselves; they were often depicted in the form of man. This was evident in Ancient Greece and Rome in the classical era. In some other polytheistic views, god takes on the form of the elements of nature.

One theory on how the polytheistic beliefs originated from was the previous beliefs in spirits, supernatural forces, and demons. This is similar to animism, but in polytheism these spirits and forces are classified into sections and are more organized when they are represented, similar to a family unit. This Unit began to become the explanations of extreme events in nature and to establish balance to the universe. time new gods would be introduced as the culture began to grow. The next step was placing these gods in systematic rankings and hierarchy against one another.

Rome was highly influenced by polytheistic culture. They adapted this culture mostly from a similar polytheistic culture in Ancient Greece. These gods took the forms of men and directly affected the social and political decisions in these societies. Rome and Greece began to adopt new gods of the lands they conquered. This spread the polytheistic culture to many places of the world including Asia, Africa, and the west. = **Shamanism ** =

Written by Lake D, Ms. Lumpkin P.8


 * Shamanism** has been a focal belief system throughout time and is most commonly related to the Mongols of the post classical world. Shamanistic Beliefs focus mainly on that of Nature Spirits, that all objects and forces are powered and controlled by a variety of spirits. This principle of Spirits in Shamanism means that trees have spirits, a river has a spirit, even a rock has a spirit, all these spirits also have personalities, and can be either good or bad. These spirits are spoken to through Shamans (the rough equivalent of a Priest) whom both male and female members could be. These Shamans couldn't be just anyone, they had to be able to go into an altered state of consciousness at “will”. This altered state of consciousness was often achieved through: autohypnosis, ingestion of hallucinogens, fasting, and self-mortification. In this altered state Shamans where supposed to be able to communicate with spirits in their own alternate reality, which in its self was outside of time and space. After communicating with the spirits the shamans would return to their own reality with their newly acquired knowledge and use it for a variety of tasks. The Tasks included performing exorcisms, healing, “rain making”, and telling the future or prophesying.

The most recognized, and famed form of shamanism came from the Mongols in the post classical era. The Mongols believed in shamanism throughout their conquest of Asia. many of the rulers even kept with the shamanistic belief, throughout their reigns, though they did however recognize other religions. Most shamanistic people in the world today are shamanists due to the Mongol conquests hundreds of years ago.

Though it has died down as a major religion Shamanism is still practiced today, most commonly in south Asia, and parts of Europe.

**Animism **

Written by Brooks C, Ms. Lumpkin P.8

**Animism** derives from the Latin word, “//anima”// which means //breath// or //soul.// Animism is most likely one of the oldest beliefs in human history, dating back to around the Paleolithic age. It is the belief that everything in the world has a soul, whether it’s an animal, person, plant, even an inanimate object, and these souls exist apart from their natural bodies.

Animism was the primary belief of many primitive tribes in Africa during the Bronze age, before any type of writing system or written history. Because there are no written records from that time, archaeologists can begin to understand what life was like in animistic tribes based on artifacts found in burial mounds, or through rituals still practiced today in parts of Africa and Southeast Asia.

Because animism is the belief in everything having a soul, there aren’t any specific objects found to be significant to animistic believers. There are common characteristics between animistic tribes, such as a spirit house, made from various materials and placed at the center of the tribe, and sacrificial pillars for animals have been found in the tribes of some Indonesian cults.

There is no specific number of animistic believers in the world, but some elements of animistic beliefs have been found in the religious practices of Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, and Hindu believers in present day Southeast Asia.

Animism has no cultural center, but it can be found mostly in Africa, agriculture-based societies in Indonesia, and the mountainous areas of Laos, Burma, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia.

**Resources Cited**

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Shamanism." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2004. Web. 23 Jan. 2012. . =====

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Stockdale, Nancy. "The Mongol Conquests: Need To Know." World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras. ABC-CLIO, 2004. Web. 23 Jan. 2012. . =====

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"History of God in Different Religions – From Polytheism to Monotheism | Watch Documentary Online." Watch Free Documentaries Online - Documentary24.org. Web. 23 Jan. 2012. . =====

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"Online Library of Liberty." Online Library of Liberty - Front Page. Web. 23 Jan. 2012. . =====

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"Polytheism | Define Polytheism at Dictionary.com." Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com. Web. 23 Jan. 2012. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/polytheism>. ===== <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">"Why D&D Polytheism Is Flawed." Dark Horse Game Design<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">. Web. 09 Feb. 2012. <http://errantgame.blogspot.com/2011/06/why-d-polytheism-is-flawed.html>. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">"Lady of the Earth." Free Wiccan Pagan Information Resource - Lady of the Earth<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">. Web. 09 Feb. 2012. <http://ladyoftheearth.com/animals/animals.html>.