RE - Year 7 - Polytheism (PPT + Worksheet)

This lesson introduces students to polytheism — the belief in many gods — and explores how ancient societies in Britain made sense of the world before the rise of monotheistic religions. Pupils begin by reviewing Islamic authority and the Five Pillars to contrast monotheistic structure with polytheistic systems. They then define polytheism and the idea of a pantheon, explore how Romans, Vikings and Saxons worshipped in Britain, and investigate why rituals, myths and seasonal festivals were essential for social order. Through stories, artefacts and comparison tasks, students build a clear understanding of how belief shaped early communities.

• Review Islamic authority and the Five Pillars to contrast monotheism with ancient polytheistic systems.
• Define polytheism and the concept of a ‘pantheon’ including gods, goddesses and divine families.
• Explore how Romans, Vikings, and Saxons worshipped in Britain through temples, shrines, festivals and mythology.
• Understand why rituals and myths were vital to social order by examining how religion explained nature, authority and community roles.

This lesson is story‑rich, comparative, and perfect for developing Year 7 understanding of belief systems, helping pupils see how ancient religions shaped identity, culture and community long before monotheism arrived.