euhemerism

[ yoo-hee-muh-riz-uhm, -hem-uh- ]

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.

euhemerism

/ 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

Derived Forms

• euˌhemerˈistically, adverb
• euˈhemerist, noun
• euˌhemerˈistic, adjective

Other Words From

• eu·hemer·ist noun
• eu·hemer·istic adjective
• eu·hemer·isti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of euhemerism¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of euhemerism¹

C19: named after Euhemerus (?300 bc ), Greek philosopher who propounded this theory

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 Project Gutenberg

Euhemerism with its deified men, and inspiration with its distraught votaries were perhaps nobler, a little nobler, but in reality there was little respect for religion among the philosophic.

From Project Gutenberg

We should indeed be in an evil case if we were restricted for our knowledge of Canaanitish rites to these fragments, which carry so plainly on the front of them their late origin, their fictitious genealogical combinations, into which the gods are brought, their over-subtle Euhemerism, and their mixture with Greek and Egyptian ideas.

From Project Gutenberg

They both apply the principles of Euhemerism to resolve the bright creations of the old mythology into their original elements.

From Project Gutenberg

Euhemerism, ū-hē′me-rizm, n. the system which explains mythology as growing out of real history, its deities as merely magnified men.—v.t. and v.i.

From Project Gutenberg