The ancient era was marked by a multitude of pagan faiths that were practiced by various civilizations around the world. These religions were characterized by their polytheistic nature, with worshippers believing in multiple gods and goddesses. The pagan faiths of the ancient era were deeply rooted in the cultures and traditions of the civilizations in which they were practiced. They encompassed a wide range of beliefs, rituals, and practices, often involving sacrifices, prayers, and offerings to the gods. The worship of these gods and goddesses was intricately tied to different aspects of life, such as agriculture, fertility, war, and the natural world. One common thread among many pagan faiths was the belief in the divine power of nature and the interconnectedness of all things.
For that to happen, the gods needed to be on the side of the humans, and that required that they be recognized by proper forms of worship.
The term Pagan first came into use during the fourth century as a pejorative to describe people of the Roman Empire who practiced ethnic religious rituals outside of Judaism and Christianity. Below that god, in the popular imagination, there were others of unimaginable power for example, the gods of Mount Olympus, known from Greek and Roman mythology.
One common thread among many pagan faiths was the belief in the divine power of nature and the interconnectedness of all things. Nature was seen as a manifestation of the gods and goddesses, and rituals were often performed to honor and appease them. Many ancient pagan faiths also revolved around mythology, with elaborate stories and legends explaining the origins and powers of the gods and goddesses.
The true meaning of Paganism
The word "paganism" has come to refer to various pre-Christian religions belonging to a number of ancient cultures—those from Greece, Rome, Egypt, Scandinavia, and so on. It has come to also represent, in some circles, the modern ideology of Wicca and the followers of revived versions of the old practices. The truth about "paganism", however, is that it is a historically inaccurate phrase in the context of these aforementioned faiths. Although it is now the accepted term for these religions, it is important to examine where the word truly came from and what it initially meant, allowing for a better, all-inclusive understanding of the world's religious past.
The term "paganism" was revived during the Renaissance when writers were trying to differentiate the old traditions from their contemporary Christian faith. The term itself stems from the Latin paganus translated loosely along the lines of "country dweller" or "rustic"; thus it was initially a word describing a person of locality rather than a religion. However, because of its usage in ancient texts, medieval authors mistakenly believed it referenced a religious sect and thereby gave it the corresponding connotation. In actuality, there was a different word used to describe the "pagans" as they are called today, and that word too stemmed first and foremost from the location of the religious supporters.
According to scholar Peter Brown of Princeton University, "Hellene" was initially utilized in place of "paganism". "Hellene" was a reference to Ἕλλην (Hellas), the native ancient Greek name for what is now called Greece. Brown explains that when Christianity started making appearances in the eastern communities, "Hellene" was used to differentiate the non-Christians from the Christians. Those from Hellas tended to remain faithful to the old religions, but with the strife between Judaism and Christianity beginning, the Jewish faction needed to ensure they were not incorrectly associated with them. As they were not from Greece, "Hellene" became the perfect title.
An ancient temple devoted to the god Zeus. Credit: MM, Public Domain
In the Latin west, it was more common for the various religions to refer to themselves by their ethnic origins rather than by the gods they worshipped—they simply referred to themselves (in their own language) as Romans, Greeks, Egyptians, etc., simultaneously insinuating their religious factions as well. This form of labeling was largely due to the fact that the political and religious aspects of life were a unified entity. Thus, the tradition of ethnic titling appears to have been continued by the early Christians. As far as ancient sources can tell, it wasn't until the Late Roman Empire that the term "pagan" began to be used instead, as it was an easy way to lump all the non-Christians together in conversation, decrees, etc. It rose to popularity as a matter of convenience rather than of accuracy and respect.
It is important to note that "paganism" is not intended to differentiate the polytheistic religions from the monotheistic. The number of gods does not apply to the term because many so-called "pagans" would have not considered it important to differentiate themselves based on the number of gods they worshipped. Followers of the ancient religions did not necessarily have anything against Christianity based on its preference for a singular deity—many cults within each sect had a primary deity at the center of the religion, beneath which subordinate deities were also worshipped. "Paganism" as a title was intended only to reference the non-Christians (and the non-Jews), isolating them into one solitary category that could be more easily destroyed and replaced.
‘The Triumph of Civilization’ by Jacques Reattu ( Wikimedia). Many ancient religions were polytheistic and believed in a pantheon of gods.
This effort of combining all non-Christian religions under one umbrella was, in fact, a clever strategy by the early Christians to remove the "pagan" faiths altogether. Using the Norse traditions as an example, the Vikings of the early medieval period had no true name for their religious following. In truth, the word religion would have been an unknown, foreign term to them. The Nordic tribes preferred the word "customs" as—like the Greeks and Romans—their rituals, beliefs, and traditions were undefined and fluidly interpreted, orally passed down rather than rigidly studied. There was no all-encompassing word for the belief in the Aesir and Vanir, and the various other beings and deities the ancient Norse worshipped, and there was no written text discussing their practices until the Christian author Snorri Sturluson wrote their mythology down in the 13 th century.
Detail of Runestone 181, in Stockholm. Norse gods Odin, Thor and Freyr are represented as three men. Credit: Berig, Wikipedia
According to Gareth Williams in Viking: Life and Legend , what is now considered the Norse religion is actually the "legacy of the Christian missionaries", their textual product a "concentrated target" that is much easier to remove and erase than the amalgamation of gods liberally worshipped. Consolidating the various Norse—and every other "pagan"—tradition into a simplified faith with recorded rules and codes provided the early Christians with a more straightforward target to remove and replace.
Though the phrase "paganism" is widely used to describe followers of the various ancient religions, it is important to understand from where the term originates and the misconceptions behind its usage. Too many centuries have passed now—the word "paganism" will continue to label these supporters despite its original meaning. But it is never too late to be informed of the origins of the term, thereby allowing a better comprehension of the history of the ancient followers.
Featured image: Cernunnos,"The Horned One", ancient god of nature and fertility. ( Source)
By Riley Winters
These myths provided people with a sense of identity and purpose, as well as guidance for their daily lives. Over time, the pagan faiths of the ancient era evolved and adapted to changing sociopolitical circumstances, often intertwining with other religions and belief systems. Some ancient pagan faiths, such as Hellenism in Greece and Roman mythology, had a lasting influence on later civilizations and continue to be studied and practiced in modern times. Despite the rise of monotheistic religions in subsequent eras, the legacy of the pagan faiths of the ancient era remains an important part of human history and cultural heritage. The study of these ancient religions provides valuable insights into the beliefs, values, and practices of our ancestors, allowing us to better understand and appreciate the diversity of human spiritual expression throughout the ages..
Reviews for "Paganism and Shamanism in Ancient Cultures"
1. Jane - 2 stars
I was really looking forward to learning more about the pagan faiths of the ancient era, but this book was a huge disappointment. The author barely scratched the surface of the subject matter and provided very little depth or analysis. The book felt more like a collection of random facts rather than a comprehensive exploration of the topic. I found myself craving more information and context that simply wasn't provided. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a thorough understanding of pagan faiths in ancient times.
2. Mark - 1 star
"The pagan faiths of the ancient era" was a complete waste of time in my opinion. The writing style was uninspiring, and the information provided was incredibly basic. I was hoping to delve into the intricacies of different pagan religions, their rituals, and beliefs, but this book failed to offer any meaningful insights. Additionally, there were several inaccuracies and misinformation present, which made me question the credibility of the author. I would not recommend this book to anyone genuinely interested in learning about the pagan faiths of ancient times.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I found "The pagan faiths of the ancient era" to be a rather dry and unengaging read. The author seemed more interested in listing historical events and dates than providing a captivating narrative of the pagan traditions and religions. The lack of personal anecdotes or anecdotes from ancient sources made the book feel detached and impersonal. Furthermore, the author's biased and judgmental tone towards the subject matter was off-putting. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to those seeking an engaging exploration of pagan faiths in ancient times.