An Ancient Theory of Religion examines a theory of religion put forward by Euhemerus of Messene (late 4thâearly 3rd century BCE) in his lost work Sacred Inscription and shows not only how and why euhemerism came about but also how it wasâ and still isâused. By studying the utilization of the theory in different periodsâfrom the Graeco-Roman world to Late Antiquity and from the Renaissance to the twenty-first centuryâthis book explores the reception of the theory in diverse literary works. In so doing it also unpacks the different adoptions and misrepresentations of Euhemerusâs work according to the diverse agendas of the authors and scholars who have employed his theory. In the process certain questions are raised: What did Euhemerus actually claim? How has his theory of the origins of belief in gods been used? How can modern scholarship approach and interpret his take on religion? When referring to âeuhemerismâ whose version are we employing? An Ancient Theory of Religion assumes no prior knowledge of euhemerism and will be of interest to scholars working in classical reception religious studies and early Christian studies. . Language: English