The Greeks, like many other people in the ancient world, feared the forces of nature and believed them to be controlled by various deities. The Greeks imagined the gods as anthropomorphic, immortal, and powerful creatures. They believed that life depended on honoring these gods and asking for their help. According to them, if people relied only on themselves and did not seek divine assistance, they would suffer failures and punishment. However, if they turned to the gods through prayer and sacrifices, the gods would show mercy and help them achieve success.

To appease the gods, the ancient Greeks offered them sacrifices on altars. These offerings included wine, oil, wheat, animal meat, fruits, and vegetables. The altar was often located outside of a temple, usually in front of it. Altars could also be found near houses, usually in the courtyard where household members performed religious activities and sacrifices. The altar was a raised platform. Initially, it was presumably made of earth. The great altar of Zeus in Olympia was made of ashes from sacrifices. Later, altars were typically constructed of stone. The simplest altar was just a single stone slab. Most altars were rectangular or square, while some were round or bowl-shaped.