Polytheism

Polytheism

Author: Emmanuela Lia May 25, 2025 Duration: 1:31

(Piano music) 

Hello and welcome to Your Greek Word On A Sunday, a weekly, bite-size podcast for anyone curious on language, etymology and connections. I am your host, Emmanuela Lia and wherever you are in the world, if you want to entertain your brain for a few minutes, this is the podcast for you. Let's Go! 

Πολλοί (polloi) in both ancient and modern Greek means 'many' and Θεός (Theos) means 'God'. Philo of Alexandria was a Jewish philosopher that lived between 25BC and 50AD. In his writings he tried to harmonise the Tora with Ancient Greek Philosophy and particularly, Plato. He was the one wo spoke of the worship of many gods versus the one with many faces which was a meaning that would drive many religious debates for years to come. The term then vanishes and reappears in Jean Bodin's writings. A French, political philosopher and member of the French parliament who worked on the origins of religion in the 1500s. A hundred years later the term reappears in English this time, in the writings of traveller and English Anglican Cleric, Samuel Purches, who describes the religions of the places he visited. The meaning remained the same but the practice of worshiping many gods vanished in the west until the 1970s and the revival of paganism. Today, all around the world, there are people worshiping more than one god and that religion is called ΠΟΛΥΘΕΙΣΜΟΣ/POLYTHEISM

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Each week, Emmanuela Lia offers a quiet, thoughtful moment with Your Greek Word On A Sunday. This award-nominated podcast explores the fascinating journey of language, focusing on a single Greek word that has found a home in everyday English. It’s a bite-sized piece of history and connection, released every Sunday. You’ll hear more than just a definition; each episode traces the word’s path from ancient roots to modern usage, revealing how ideas and culture travel and transform across centuries and continents. Emmanuela unpacks the stories embedded within these travelling words, showing how they silently shape our thinking and link us to a distant past. Listening to this podcast feels like uncovering a hidden layer of meaning in the language we use without a second thought. It’s for anyone curious about where words come from, how history echoes in our speech, and the subtle threads that connect different worlds. The gentle, weekly rhythm and focused format make it a perfect companion for a reflective morning or a calm evening, turning a simple etymological exploration into a consistent ritual of discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 335

Your Greek Word On A Sunday
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