It should be remembered that at the time of Jesus it was commonplace to invest with divinity not only non-existent mythological figures but historian mortals as well. Laertus, the pagan author of the lives of the philosophers, writes of a number of philosophersas beimg sons of God. Plato was described as being of divine parentage;and so was pythagoras who was supposed to be the incarnate son of the god Hermes. Empedocles was also alleged to be an immortal god who healed the sick,and his followers worshipped him and prayed to him. Plutarch regard it as beyond that Alexander the great was of divine descent and Romulus the legendary ancestor of the Romans was the son of mars,the god of war. He was supposed to have been raised to heaven in a cloud. An inscription of 48 B.C. refers to Julius Caeasar says:"the emperor caesar,son of God,god augustus,overseer of land sea." These titles of "god","son of god"and "lord"being common and widespread in the Mediterranean region about the time of Jesus could not but influence the general public who were not deeply infused with the Judaic monotheism. They were terms loosely used by all and sundry.
Posted on: Sun, 30 Jun 2013 20:40:51 +0000
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