Final answer:
The Greeks viewed their gods as powerful, anthropomorphic beings who could communicate through dreams, which were considered divine messages. However, later Hellenistic philosophy began to question traditional beliefs about the gods and their influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Greeks had a complex relationship with their gods, perceiving them as anthropomorphic beings with human-like qualities. These deities were involved in the lives of mortals, affecting everything from personal matters to the functioning of the universe. Contrary to the perception of gods as merely benevolent, Greeks often feared the vengeance of the gods and sought to understand their divine messages and wills, particularly through the medium of dreams.
The anticipation of dreams as divine messages was not uncommon, exemplified by the practice of dream incubation in the cult of Isis and the existence of dream exegetes. Notably, during the Hellenistic period and the time of Socrates, critical reflections on the role of gods began, with some Greeks questioning the old stories and moving towards more philosophical and ethical frameworks of thought.