euhemerism
The belief that legends and mythology arise from exaggerated descriptions of historical people and events.
uncountable
In regard to the Thracian god Zalmosis, the Hellespontic Greeks interpreted his character and attributes according to the scheme of Euemerism.
Where it comes from
From Euhemerus + -ism, ultimately from Latin Euhēmerus, from Ancient Greek Εὐήμερος (Euḗmeros), an ancient Greek Sicilian Skeptic who proposed most or all mythology derived from historical figures and natural events which received supernatural characteristics only through retelling.
Adapted from the Wiktionary entry euhemerism (CC BY-SA 4.0).