Introduction.

mysteries through the despotism of the priesthood; miracle upon miracle was piled up; the simplest effects of nature were shrouded in deep darkness and intricate riddles, which could only be explained by the priests and their followers. The common masses believed blindly, because they were deprived of every opportunity for independent judgment, as everything was explained through the influence of good or evil demons In this context, "demons" refers to daemons or intermediary spirits, which ancient people believed controlled natural phenomena., and nothing according to nature and truth. The heavens, the fixed stars, the planets, and the entire earth were filled with gods whose favor one had to seek, or whose wrath one had to try to appease. Thus arose sacrifices, offerings, and most religious regulations.

Chevalier Ramsay Andrew Michael Ramsay (1686–1743), a Scottish writer known for his influence on Freemasonry and his work on ancient theology. has excellently proven in his treatise on the mythology of the ancients * that in the mythologies of all peoples, one encounters the teachings of a supreme being, the state of the world, the spiritual nature of man, and his probable continuation after death. All of this, however, was so greatly veiled, and [presented] under so many kinds of images and riddles

• It is attached to the end of The Travels of Cyrus A 1727 philosophical novel by Ramsay that explores ancient religions and systems of government..