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the Barbarian In this context, "Barbarian" refers to anyone who did not speak Greek, such as the Persians or Egyptians, rather than implying "uncivilized." says, the inhabitant of the continent, and he who dwells near the sea, the wise and the unwise. And if you proceed as far as to the utmost shores of the ocean, there also there are Gods, rising very near to some, and setting very near to others." *

The deification deification: the act of elevating a human being to the status of a god; also known as apotheosis., however, of dead men, and the worshiping men as Gods, formed no part of this theology theology: specifically referring to the "Platonic Theology," a systematic study of the divine hierarchy from the ultimate "One" down to lesser spirits., when it is considered according to its genuine purity. Numerous instances of the truth of this might be adduced, but I shall mention for this purpose, as unexceptionable witnesses, the writings of Plato, the Golden Pythagoric Verses Golden Pythagoric Verses: a famous set of moral and philosophical instructions attributed to Pythagoras, though likely written by his later followers to summarize his teachings.,† and the Treatise of Plutarch Plutarch (c. 46–119 AD) was a Greek philosopher and priest at Delphi. His treatises often sought to find deeper, allegorical meanings in traditional myths.

* "One might see in all the earth one harmonious law and reason: that there is one God, the king and father of all, and many gods, children of God, ruling together with God. This both the Greek says and the Barbarian says, the inhabitant of the mainland and of the sea, the wise and the unwise. And if you go even to the shores of the ocean, there too there are gods, for some rising very near, for others setting." original: Ενα ιδοις αν εν πασα γη ομοφωνον νομον και λογον, οτι θεος εις παντων βασιλευς και πατηρ, και θεοι πολλοι, θεου παιδες, συναρχοντες θεω... Dissert. i. Edit. Princ.

† "Diogenes Laertius A 3rd-century biographer of the Greek philosophers. says of Pythagoras, that he charged his disciples not to give equal degrees of honor to the Gods and heroes. Herodotus The famous 5th-century BC Greek historian. (in Euterpe Euterpe is the title of the second book of Herodotus's 'Histories,' which focuses on the history and customs of Egypt.) says of the Greeks, That they worshiped Hercules A figure of immense strength who, in myth, was born a mortal and achieved divinity through his labors. two ways, one as an immortal deity, and so they sacrificed to him; and another as a Hero, and so they celebrated his memory. Isocrates A celebrated Athenian orator and teacher. (Encomium of He- This truncated reference is to Isocrates' 'Encomium of Helen,' where he discusses the divine honors paid to legendary figures.