Was heresy prevalent in Ancient Greece, and if so what role did it play in history?

Question

Heresy or the accusations thereof have constituted a major driving force in the evolution of most mainstream (or otherwise) religious organisations that survive today. Christianity in particular has a colourful history of heretical sects and individuals. However, as part of my studies of high school Ancient History I am interested in the prospect of researching the role and prevalence of unorthodox beliefs in the Ancient Greek world. Any information (or directions to information) regarding heretical groups or individuals operating in the Archaic, Classical or Hellenistic periods would be much appreciated. If no such sources are available, I would be interested in hearing any educated (though by no means necessarily professional) thoughts relating to what may have occurred and whether or not heresy was an issue during the period.

Thanks in anticipation.

Answer 1

The Ancient Greeks were a pretty pluralist lot-they tended to look for the similarities between religions rather than the differences. You often read in the acient sources about the Carthaginian "Demeter" or the Scythian "Hercakles". I'm suprised there are no references to the Jewish "Dionysius Zagreus" (AKA Christ)!

Their philosophers debeated the nature and even existence of the gods without facing serious persecution or alienation-except when it was politically motivated like Socrates. Let's face it-he was an irritating man!

Most gods were shown respect with sacrifices, but by the mid Hellenistic period most educated people thought of them more as comfortable traditions rather than direct influences on their lives. Household gods (Lares) were a kind of ancestor worship that were taken pretty seriously-the outrage recorded by Thucydides when the Lares in Athens were defiled seems much more profound than that noted when major temples were looted. Again, politics led to an individual being charged with the death penalty-Alcibiades.

One other individual in Thucydides who gets a bit of a blast for being TOO pius is Nicias. His "superstition" led to the defeat at Syracuse-he spent too much time with his oracles and seers and not enough making practical preparations for battle.

Hope this helps.

Check out the superb "A History of Greece" by Bury and Meiggs for more details.

Answer 2

'Heresy' was not a concept in ancient Greece, as there was no established body of doctrine.  

Answer 3

The most heretical thing a person could do in Greece was to worship just one God. it was thought that there were many gods, and only worshiping one of them would cause anger and jealousy among the others causing misfortune upon the practitioner.