Jennifer Ferrari

08/15/2016
HIS 134

The Influence of Religion on Ancient Civilizations and Today

There are many aspects of life that can affect civilization: technology, military, politics. The
one that has the most impact is religion. Religion is the basis of society. It gives us morals and
standards to live up to. It provides a feeling of hope and sanctuary in times of need. It builds
communities that support each other and the nation as a whole. Religion has transcended time. It
evolved with the changing people to become what it is today. Religion and traditions shaped
civilizations for generations from the women in Athenas Cult to Augustus of the Roman Empire
to Muhammad the Prophet and to society today.
The Cult of Athena was an important form of female empowerment for the Ancient Greeks.
In Athens, the cult of Athena Polias was the most important religious faction (writer873).
Since Athena was the patron god of Athens, she was one of the most important gods to the
people of Athens. Society held celebrations in her honor that were led by women. The cult of
Athena was one of the best examples of women being successful in a position of power. While
women were not esteemed very highly in everyday Greek life, there was a faction of Greek
females that were able to break down the barriers and contribute publicly in the arenas of
politics, civics, and religion (writer873). Women were basically considered to be another piece
of property for men. They were there to have children and maintain the home. There was not
much else for them to do that was permitted. But to be a part of Athenas Cult gave power to
many Greek women. The high priestess of the Cult had the most religious power in the city. A

female in a position of power was a rare thing to behold in most nations and almost unheard of,
but a woman with the most religious power in a society was incredible.
Emperor Augustus of the Roman Empire was bound and determined to become a god. He
was an excellent leader already, but Augustus claimed that only by restoring the traditional
values that had first made Rome great could he hope to make it great again (Augustus).
Implementing the traditional values found in worshipping the mythological Roman gods gave a
sense of order and purpose to the people. They wanted to live in a strong, stable nation.
Therefore the people would do their best to follow the commands of the emperor. Now regarded
as part-god, Augustus encouraged stories of his frugal habits (Augustus). More often than not,
society wants to live in a similar manner to that of the wealthy and powerful. So when Augustus
claims to sleep on a low bed in what we would consider to be an average home and eating bland
foods, everyone else is going to mimic the emperor. As a result, the people have more money for
taxes and boosting the economy. There is also less distance between the upper and lower classes.
The nation becomes more balanced and Augustus achieved the full title of god in the end.
In the middle-east, the Islamic Empire, one of the greatest empires to ever exist, began
under the teachings of Muhammad, who was said to be Gods final prophet. Muhammad came
from a tribal nation that had many gods and religions. The people would travel from all across
the Arabian Peninsula to worship at the Kaaba in Mecca. One day God spoke to Muhammad and
asked him to spread the word of God and he complied. Muhammad's strong monotheism
worried those residents of Mecca who obtained their income from the pilgrims to the Kaaba.
Most of Muhammad's early converts were among the poorest of the city's residents, and Mecca's
leading citizens feared social revolution (Stearns). There were so many gods and spirits
worshipped in Mecca. The Koryash maintained commerce and social order, but with

Muhammad preaching about the one true God, the stability of Mecca was threatened.
Muhammad was creating a religious revolution that shockingly enough did not change the
economy or social standings in Mecca in the way that was originally feared. The Prophet and
his message inspired his followers to create and work for the betterment of a society united by
the Islamic faith (Stearn). Even in death, his revelations still live on in the Quran and in the
hadiths. The caliphs continued to conquer nations surrounding the middle-east; Asia, northern
Africa, and eventually Spain. They remained tolerant of other religions, but imposed a tax to
worship them in order to encourage conversion to Islam. This was a large difference from the
suppressive governments that the conquered peoples had in the past. Islam spread like wildfire
uniting continents into one Ummah, one community of believers.
Religion still carries an influence in society today. The institutions that govern a great deal
of our everyday behavior took shape hundreds or even thousands of years ago. Having been
preserved and altered across the generations to our own time, they are sure to continue into the
future (McNeill). Religion is not as strong as it once was hundreds of years go, but it still holds
people together and provides hope for those who need it most. The morals from any of the
religions are still passed between generations even if the family does not believe in any of the
current religions. Those morals have been engraved in our hearts and minds. History is a lesson:
a lesson of intentions, movements, experiments, and human production; a lesson that builds
integrity and character within our children (Postma). Without learning about the history behind
the religions, the foundation of our moral standpoints become weaker. We need to understand
why we are kind to others and do our best to help or why we have such a strong belief in God or
Nirvana or any other religious icon. We need to keep history in education to create well rounded
individuals that can maintain a stable and strong nation. We need passionate commitment to

both job training and liberal learning, especially when they seem to clash in opposition, so that
we are ready to respond to the unexpected events that life generates (Perry). The world is
unpredictable at times. Looking at the past, we can predict the response to governmental policy,
we can utilize war strategy from intelligent generals, and we can share stories with the next
generation that will warn them not to commit the same mistakes. Take Ancient Egypt for
example, when the Sea People came and conquered multiple civilizations in a very short time
frame, they had messengers discover what had happened and they were prepared to fight the Sea
People on the water instead of land. They were the only civilization in the region to survive. If
they hadnt used the history, however recent it may be, of the other nations, then they would
have been destroyed as well.
From Athenas Cult to Emperor Augustus to Muhammad the Prophet and society today,
religion and traditional values have played a major role in civilizations for thousands of years.
Without religion and traditions the world would be utter chaos. We would have no sense of right
and wrong. There would be no hope for a better future than what is in front of us now. Religion
is still a major force in the modern world. Many may not worship a higher power like in the past,
but the morals that originated from Buddism, Hindusim, Chirstianity, Judaism, Islam, or any
other religion are still passed from generation to generation.

Works Cited
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Aug. 2016.
McNeill, William H. "Why Study History? (1985)." American Historical Association. American
Historical Association, 2013. Web. 15 Aug. 2016.
Perry, David M. "How History Can Help Us Predict the Next Pope." The Atlantic. The Atlantic
Monthly Group, 12 Mar. 2013. Web. 15 Aug. 2016.
Postma, Michael. "What Can History Teach Us Today?" ASCD Express. ASCD, 2016. Web. 15 Aug.
2016.
Stearns, Peter N. "Muhammad, Prophet of Islam." Islam From The Beginning To 1300. N.p., 2002.
Web. 15 Aug. 2016.
Writer873. "The Women of Athena's Cult." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History
Encyclopedia Limited, 18 Jan. 2012. Web. 15 Aug. 2016.