In his article “Of Sacrifice” (De Sacrificiis), Lucian presents a sharp satirical critique of the religious practices of the ancient Greeks, particularly the ritual of sacrifice. Through a series of poignant observations, he highlights some of the ironies inherent in the way people worshipped their gods.
At the onset, Lucian underscores the anthropomorphism of Greek gods, calling into question the incongruity of deities who possess human frailties, such as jealousy over a missed dinner invitation or love affairs. What’s compelling about this point is the underlying assumption that divine beings should be fundamentally different from their mortal counterparts. Does the distinction between gods and humans boil down merely to the gods’ immortality and unique powers? Lucian’s portrayal suggests that many ancients may have had such a reductive view. However, in many religious contexts, divinities are often conceived as existing on a different plane, embodying virtues or ideals far removed from human flaws. And it seems that Lucian himself also holds this view that gods not only have powers that are greater than us, but also are morally superior.
Lucian’s second observation pertains to the quid pro quo nature of the gods’ blessings. Such arrangement with the divine elucidates humanity’s deep-seated desire for control and predictability within a universe often perceived as chaotic and unpredictable. If one can discern a specific pattern or ritual that ensures divine favor, it offers a semblance of agency over one’s fate. However, as Lucian implies, the ever-elusive nature of divine reciprocity reveals the complexities of such transactions. This raises theological questions that are pervasive across various religious traditions. When prayers go unanswered, it often falls upon the supplicant to shoulder the blame—either due to an imperfect offering, a test of faith, or divine wisdom that deems the request unnecessary. Lucian’s satire cuts to the core of this issue, highlighting the convoluted logic many apply to reconcile their unmet spiritual expectations. This tendency to internalize failures while externalizing successes is not just a religious phenomenon but can be observed in psychology. The act of attributing unanswered prayers to personal shortcomings may also be seen as a mechanism to maintain cognitive consistency and preserve faith in a just and benevolent deity, which is questionable because ancient Greek deities seldom present themselves as such.
His third point touches on the sacrificial process’s inherent hypocrisy. There’s an evident contradiction when a pure, unblemished animal is killed by blood-soaked priests. I especially love these sentences, in which Lucian’s evocative depiction of the animal being led to slaughter underscores his empathy for the creature and accentuates the inherent cruelty ascribed to these gods: “then they crown him with garlands and lead him to the altar, where he is slaughtered before the God’s eyes, to the broken accompaniment of his own sanctimonious bellowings, most musical, most melancholy. The delight of the Gods at such a spectacle, who can doubt?” This portrayal aligns with Lucian’s earlier reservations about the characterization of gods in popular belief. To him, Greek gods, if delighting in such cruel rituals, appear not only morally on par with humans but perhaps even beneath them.
Lastly, Lucian’s reference to Egyptian deities does potentially belittle the richness of Egyptian religious tradition. The assumption that one can map one culture’s belief system onto another’s might come off as ethnocentric, reducing Egyptian religion to footnotes in Greek mythology. Moreover, Lucian’s astonishment at Egyptian gods with animalistic features may stem from his familiarity with primarily anthropomorphic Greek gods. Yet, it’s essential to recognize that in various cultures and religious traditions worldwide, deities transcend human forms. They may embody natural elements, be perceived as abstract forces, or remain entirely ineffable. This line of thought challenges us to embrace the myriad expressions and the profound insights each religious tradition offers into the human experience.
