euhemerism

1. (uncountable) The belief that legends and mythology arise from exaggerated descriptions of historical people and events.Examples: "In regard to the Thracian god Zalmosis, the Hellespontic Greeks interpreted his character and attributes according to the scheme of Euemerism."; "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."Synonyms: historical theory, rationalismuncountableusually