Accidental Gods: The Unwitting Men Who Became Divine

Throughout history, there have been numerous individuals who have been hailed as gods or divine beings, often despite their own wishes. These accidental gods have come from all walks of life, and their stories are as varied as the cultures that created them.

Accidental Gods: On Men Unwittingly Turned Divine

by Anna Della Subin

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Some accidental gods were born into their divine role. For example, the Egyptian pharaohs were considered to be gods incarnate, and the Roman emperors were often deified after their deaths. Other accidental gods were chosen by their people to represent a particular aspect of the divine, such as the Greek god Dionysus, who was the god of wine and revelry.

Still other accidental gods were simply ordinary people who were caught up in extraordinary circumstances. For example, the Christian saint Christopher was a Roman soldier who was martyred for his faith. After his death, he was said to have appeared to a group of pilgrims, who hailed him as a god. Christopher's story is a reminder that even the most ordinary of us can be touched by the divine.

The stories of accidental gods are often full of wonder and inspiration. They remind us that the divine can be found in the most unexpected places, and that even the most ordinary of us can have a profound impact on the world.

Examples of Accidental Gods

Here are a few examples of accidental gods from around the world:

• The Egyptian pharaohs were considered to be gods incarnate. They were believed to have divine powers and were responsible for the welfare of their people.
• The Roman emperors were often deified after their deaths. This practice began with Julius Caesar, who was declared a god by the Roman Senate after his assassination.
• The Greek god Dionysus was the god of wine and revelry. He was said to have been born from the thigh of Zeus, and he was known for his wild and unpredictable behavior.
• The Christian saint Christopher was a Roman soldier who was martyred for his faith. After his death, he was said to have appeared to a group of pilgrims, who hailed him as a god.
• The Japanese emperor was once considered to be a god. This belief was based on the Shinto religion, which holds that the emperor is a direct descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu.

The Impact of Accidental Gods

Accidental gods have had a profound impact on the world. They have inspired religious movements, shaped cultures, and even led to wars. For example, the belief that the Egyptian pharaohs were gods led to the construction of the pyramids, which are one of the most impressive architectural achievements in human history.

The stories of accidental gods remind us that the divine can be found in the most unexpected places. They also remind us that even the most ordinary of us can have a profound impact on the world.

Accidental Gods: On Men Unwittingly Turned Divine

by Anna Della Subin

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	49278 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	459 pages

FREE