Also 9 Euemerism. [f. L. Euhēmer-us, Gr. Εὐήμερος (see below) + -ISM.] The method of mythological interpretation that regards myths as traditional accounts of real incidents in human history.
Euhemerus, a Sicilian (c. 316 B.C.) was the author of a book called Ἰερὰ Ἀναγραφή, in which he maintained that the deities of Hellenic mythology were deified men and women, and pretended to cite authentic records of their lives.
1846. Grote, Greece, I. xvi. I. 596. In regard to the Thracian god Zalmosis, the Hellespontic Greeks interpreted his character and attributes according to the scheme of Euemerism.
1864. Max Müller, Sc. Lang., Ser. II. ix. (1868), 397. Euhemerism has become the recognized title of that system of mythological interpretation which … reduces the gods of old to the level of men.
So Euhemerist [+ -IST], one who follows the method of Euhemerus; also attrib. (quasi-adj.). Euhemeristic a. [f. prec. + -IC], a. of persons: Inclined to euhemerism; b. of things: Of the nature of or resembling euhemerism. Euhemerize v. a. trans. To subject to euhemeristic interpretation; also, To euhemerize into or out of. b. intr. To follow the method of Euhemerus. Euhemerized ppl. a. Euhemerizing vbl. sb. (in quot. attrib.).
1856. Max Müller, Chips (1880), II. xvi. 115. It is easier to answer these German than the old Greek *euhemerist.
1871. Tylor, Prim. Cult., I. 252. The modern ‘euhemerists’ … in part adopted the old interpretations.
1884. Academy, 22 March, 205. Saxo … treats Odin and Baldr in euhemerist fashion.
1856. Max Müller, Chips (1880), II. xvi. 115. *Euhemeristic critics.
1876. H. Spencer, Princ. Sociol. (1877), I. 232. This interpretation will be called Euhemeristic.
1847. J. W. Donaldson, Vind. Protestant Princ., 140. One of its [Genesis’] editors *euhemerized into spurious narratives some of the deep symbolism of the original vaticination.
1881. Fraser’s Mag., March, 355. To euhemerise, rationalise and etherialise them [nursery heroes] out of existence.
1887. I. Taylor, in Academy, 3 Sept., 143/2. The legend of Semiramis was a *euhemerised version of the story of Istar.
1871. Farrar, Witn. Hist., ii. 57. He did but extend to the New Testament the *Euhemerising principles which Eichhorn had applied to the Old.
