euhemerism
Pronunciations (2)
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/juˈhiməˌɹɪzəm/
Pronunciation notes
- General-American
-
/juːˈhiːməˌɹɪzəm/
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
Noun
The belief that legends and mythology arise from exaggerated descriptions of historical people and events.
Usage- Uncountable
- usually
- Synonyms
- historical theoryrationalism
- Examples
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In regard to the Thracian god Zalmosis, the Hellespontic Greeks interpreted his character and attributes according to the scheme of Euemerism.
More examples (2)
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.
Already before euhemerism saved them by embalming them, [...] they had become in their very being the enlarged shadows of great men and warriors upon the walls of the world.
Word forms
euhemerismseuemerismEuemerismEuhemerism