Final answer:
The ancient Greeks initially viewed the gods as shaping human destiny and order, valuing strength and rhetoric. As time progressed, philosophical skepticism led to a humanistic approach, emphasizing internal virtues over divine intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ancient Greeks perceived the gods as deeply intertwined with human affairs, as shown in texts like Homer's The Odyssey. They believed the gods were active participants in their lives, setting the course of human destiny, giving a sense of order, and exemplifying values such as strength and rhetoric. However, the Greek viewpoint shifted over time, especially by the time of Socrates, where skepticism towards the direct intervention of gods in daily life emerged and humanistic ideas started to take precedence.
In stories like The Odyssey and The Iliad, Greek gods like Athena took active roles in guiding and protecting their favorite humans, such as Odysseus, thus indicating divine favor was a significant force. Over time, philosophical thought began to challenge the traditional narratives, leading to a more internal, human-centered approach to understanding and guiding behavior, that focused less on divine approval and more on ethical convictions.