Interpretatio Graeca

Under interpretations Graeca ( Latin for " Greek translation " ) means the habit of ancient Greek writers to equate them unknown gods of non-Greek cultures with Greek gods, and to name them accordingly.

:, ( 2.42 ff Histories ) The Greek historian Herodotus, there are countless examples of this method

Herodotus called Egyptian deities mostly only in their Greek names. In most cases, where he calls her Egyptian name, he is the Greek name. The same phenomenon can also be observed in other Greek authors. In the opinion of Herodotus not only most of the Greek gods, but even their name originally came from Egypt ( as histories; 2, 50). Quite different Plato. He uses only the original Egyptian name. In the only case where he beistellt the Greek name, he shall give the equation of the Egyptians themselves in the mouth.

In the interpretatio graeca manifests itself increasingly Greek sense of superiority over the Barbarians: The Greek mythologies not peoples of the Greek imagination incorporated; However, what appears to be not integrable, is often portrayed as bizarre. However, the interpretations Graeca also expresses that for all the world just the same gods apply after the presentation of the Greeks. Roman authors are with non-Roman, particularly Greek deities according to procedures ( interpretatio romana ). The same applies with restrictions on the Gallic Celts with the interpretations Celtica.

• Religion ( ancient Greece)