euhemerism

American  

[yoo-hee-muh-riz-uhm, -hem-uh-] / yuˈhi məˌrɪz əm, -ˈhɛm ə- /

noun

1. (often initial capital letter) the theory of Euhemerus that the mythologies of various gods arose out of the deification of dead heroes.

2. the theory that mythology is derived from history.

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euhemerism British  

/ juːˈhiːməˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. the theory that gods arose out of the deification of historical heroes

2. any interpretation of myths that derives the gods from outstanding men and seeks the source of mythology in history

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Other Word Forms

• euhemerist noun
• euhemeristic adjective
• euhemeristically adverb

Etymology

Origin of euhemerism

First recorded in 1840–50; Euhemer(us) + -ism

Example Sentences

But the transformation of gods into heroes is a very common fact in all polytheisms, and most common in the kind of unconscious euhemerism from which infant peoples never free themselves.

From The Contemporary Review, Volume 36, November 1879 by Various

But there is none of the dull and crass euhemerism which distinguishes the Egyptian tales of the gods.

From The Religions of Ancient Egypt and Babylonia by Sayce, A. H. (Archibald Henry)

This euhemerism seems an exceedingly inadequate explanation of the origin of Zeus.

From Myth, Ritual And Religion, Vol. 2 (of 2) by Lang, Andrew

Deification and euhemerism are equally natural to the Chinese.

From Hinduism and Buddhism, An Historical Sketch, Vol. 3 by Eliot, Charles, Sir

The euhemerism of the Egyptian priesthood sounded the knell of the old faith.

From The Religions of Ancient Egypt and Babylonia by Sayce, A. H. (Archibald Henry)