The ancient Greeks and Romans believed in many gods. This was a meaningful part of their lives. The culture actively practiced their faith in the gods. Here is a source of some basic background: BBC website, Gods. Another resource provides some basic information on the different Greek Gods.

 

This faith had both similarities to other religions and differences. During the musical, some Greeks believed that the gods actually took the form of the children visitors (what else could explain their money, their clothes, their names, their responses to questions, and their cell phone?)

 

The citizens of Athens treated them accordingly. As this lavish treatment unfolded, a song was sung to show their adoration and respect.

 

A learning target could include: Students analyze the song, "We Are Not Alone" from different cultural perspectives. This would include the Greek perspective, and possibly perpsectives of other faiths today. Students may be surprised to interpret the many similarities that different perspectives have regarding how a "God" is perceived.

 

We Are Not Alone   (Listen to a clip from the Music Page.)

 

As we walk each day, along our simple way, We are not alone, we are not alone

With astonished eyes, we do realize, We are not alone

So we give our Thanks, from our humble ranks, We are not alone, we are not alone

And we do our part, with adoring hearts, We are not alone.

 

So in every day, many times we pray, We are not alone, we are not alone

We devote our lives, and we sacrifice, We are not alone

We’re the instruments, of their influence, We are not alone, we are not alone

Temples and shrines, honor the divine, We are not alone.

 

And now you make it clear, because you’ve come right here, We are not alone, we are not alone

What more can we do? To show honor to you? We are not alone

It’s against all odds, to know the ways of Gods, We are not alone, we are not alone

So we will listen well, to the message you tell. We are not alone, we are not alone.