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The [[English]] [[language]] word "polytheism" is attested from the 17th century, loaned from French polythéisme, which had been in use since 1580. In post-classical [[Latin]], the term is polytheismus. The [[word]] is attested later than atheism but earlier than theism.

The [[English]] [[language]] word "polytheism" is attested from the 17th century, loaned from French polythéisme, which had been in use since 1580. In post-classical [[Latin]], the term is polytheismus. The [[word]] is attested later than atheism but earlier than theism.

It [[ultimate]]ly derives from the [[Greek]] adjective πολυθεός (from πολύς "many" and θεός "god"), in the [[meaning]] "of or belonging to many gods" found in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeschylus Aeschylus] (Suppliant Women 424), or "believing in many gods" in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procopius Procopius] (Historia Arcana 13).

It [[ultimate]]ly derives from the [[Greek]] adjective πολυθεός (from πολύς "many" and θεός "god"), in the [[meaning]] "of or belonging to many gods" found in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeschylus Aeschylus] (Suppliant Women 424), or "believing in many gods" in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procopius Procopius] (Historia Arcana 13).

==Gods and divinity==

==Gods and divinity==

The deities of polytheistic religions are [[agents]] in [[mythology]], where they are portrayed as [[complex]] personages of greater or lesser [[status]], with [[individual]] skills, needs, [[desires]] and histories. These gods are often seen as similar to [[humans]] (anthropomorphic) in their [[personality]] traits, but with additional individual [[powers]], abilities, [[knowledge]] or [[perceptions]].

The deities of polytheistic religions are [[agents]] in [[mythology]], where they are portrayed as [[complex]] personages of greater or lesser [[status]], with [[individual]] skills, needs, [[desires]] and histories. These gods are often seen as similar to [[humans]] (anthropomorphic) in their [[personality]] traits, but with additional individual [[powers]], abilities, [[knowledge]] or [[perceptions]].

Polytheism cannot be cleanly separated from the animist beliefs prevalent in most folk religions. The gods of polytheism are in many cases the highest order of a [[continuum]] of [[supernatural]] [[beings]] or [[spirits]], which may include ancestors, demons, wights and others. In some cases these spirits are divided into [[celestial]] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chthonic chthonic] classes, and belief in the [[existence]] of all these beings does not imply that all are worshipped.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytheism]

Polytheism cannot be cleanly separated from the animist beliefs prevalent in most folk religions. The gods of polytheism are in many cases the highest order of a [[continuum]] of [[supernatural]] [[beings]] or [[spirits]], which may include ancestors, demons, wights and others. In some cases these spirits are divided into [[celestial]] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chthonic chthonic] classes, and belief in the [[existence]] of all these beings does not imply that all are worshipped.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytheism]

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]