euhemerism
/juˈhiːməˌrɪzəm/
noun
- The belief that myths and gods are based on real historical people or events that were exaggerated over time.
- Euhemerism suggests that the Greek god Zeus might have been a real king long ago.
- Some scholars use euhemerism to explain how ancient legends developed.
- The theory of euhemerism argues that myths are not pure fantasy but distorted history.