Euhemerism

Euhemerism, is rather strangely invoked in the Preface to the published Temple, where this hangover from the mythography of Progress is not at all appropriate: in the published poem, as in Botanic

Progress of Society 2006

Then again there was a period of what is sometimes called Euhemerism

Pagan and Christian Creeds: Their Origin and Meaning 1920

Then again there was a period of what is sometimes called Euhemerism -- the theory that the gods and goddesses had actually once been men and women, historical characters round whom a halo of romance and remoteness had gathered.

Pagan and Christian creeds: their origin and meaning Edward Carpenter 1886

The theory that most or all gods originated after this fashion, in other words, that the worship of the gods is little or nothing but the worship of dead men, is known as Euhemerism from Euhemerus, the ancient Greek writer who propounded it.

The Belief in Immortality and the Worship of the Dead, Volume I (of 3) The Belief Among the Aborigines of Australia, the Torres Straits Islands, New Guinea and Melanesia James George Frazer 1897

This theory of the historical origin of the gods is even to-day called Euhemerism, and has exerted a baleful influence over writers on mythology from its author's day down to our own.

The Religion of Numa And Other Essays on the Religion of Ancient Rome Jesse Benedict Carter 1894

The first passage is remarkable as showing that Plato was entirely free from what may be termed the Euhemerism of his age.

Phaedrus 427? BC-347? BC Plato 1855

In more sophisticated forms, “Euhemerism” has often recurred in modern theories about the origin of reli - gion, notably in the ancestor-worship thesis held by the sociologist Herbert Spencer (1820-1903).

ORIGINS OF RELIGION S. G. F. BRANDON 1968

Euhemerism is shown by the last three being represented as originally kings of Rome.

The Student's Companion to Latin Authors Thomas Ross Mills

Regarded as a universal explanation of the belief in gods it is certainly false; regarded as a partial explanation of the belief it is unquestionably true; and perhaps we may even go further and say, that the more we penetrate into the inner history of natural religion, the larger is seen to be the element of truth contained in Euhemerism.

The Belief in Immortality and the Worship of the Dead, Volume I (of 3) The Belief Among the Aborigines of Australia, the Torres Straits Islands, New Guinea and Melanesia James George Frazer 1897

Euhemerus, though it takes its name (Euhemerism) from him.

Atheism in Pagan Antiquity Ingeborg Andersen 1897