What is a euhemerism?
The practice of interpreting mythological accounts as historical events.
Unraveling Myth from History: The Art of Euhemerism in Creative Writing
If you're familiar with the vast tapestry of Greek mythology, you might appreciate the approach of euhemerism in creative writing, which involves interpreting mythical accounts as historical events.
In doing so, the writer seeks to unravel the myth from history, birthing something entirely new and believable in its place.
While some may view this as a form of revisionist history or detracting from the essence of the myth, euhemerism produces rich and textured storytelling that takes readers on a journey that both entertains and enlightens.
Euhemerism finds its place among various literary contexts, enriching the stories told and prompting readers to reconsider what they thought they knew about history and myth. Here are two examples where the authors employ euhemerism in their narratives.
In this epic, the gods of Greek myth play a major role in the events that unravel between the Trojan War's opposing camps. Euhemerism is evident here when gods like Aphrodite and Apollo become enmeshed with the Trojans and Greeks as human beings, living out their private struggles right alongside the mortals.
This classic collection revisits the Arthurian legend, retelling the story of King Arthur and his knights while deftly examining them as actual, historical figures. Euhemerism mingles with the magic of the legend, with the author fleshing out the human motivations behind legends of magic and enchantment within the story.