Anthony Coleman: The Ends of Euhemerism: How Ancient Authors Employed a Theory of Religion

The theory that the gods of the ancient Greco-Roman pantheon were, in fact, apotheosized human beings is credited to Euhemerus of Messene; the author of the non-extant Ιερὰἀναγραφή(Sacred History). In the Latin-speaking West, this work was popularized by its translation and insertion into the Historia (Annals) of Ennius, which accounts for its greater resonance among the Latin apologists than their Greek counterparts (cf. Cypr. De idola 1-5; Tert. Apol. 10.3ff.; Min. Fel. 21.1ff.; Arnob. Adv. nat. 1.37; Lact. DI 1.11.34-35, 45-46, 63-65, 13.2, 14, 14.2-7, 10-12, 15.31, 18.11, 22.21; 5.1.5).This paper will examine the ways in which ancient authors have selectively appropriated Euhemerus’ theory, and attempt to categorize the usage of this theory by their respective goals. For example, Lactantius adopts and applies this theory as an explanation of the terrestrial origins of the gods in order to demonstrate that they are not divine beings. His apologetic goal in this endeavor is to advocate for Christian freedom of worship. Firmicus Maternus, on the other hand, likewise employs Euhemerism to demonstrate the mortality of the gods of the pantheon, but does so in order to advocate for imperially-sponsored eradication of the practice of polytheism. This paper, therefore, will provide an analysis of the authors who have employed this theory, and examine the ends for which it has been used.