The_AT0 origins_NN2 of_PRF ancient_AJ0 religions_NN2 and_CJC cults_NN2 
Eighteenth-century_AJ0 scholars_NN2 were_VBD increasingly_AV0 interested_AJ0 in_PRP making_VVG sense_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 startling_AJ0 variety_NN1 of_PRF religions_NN2 they_PNP encountered_VVD in_PRP historical_AJ0 writings_NN2 and_CJC travel_NN1 accounts_NN2 ._SENT Books_NN2 such_DT0 as_PRP Jean_NP0 Frederic_NP0 Bernard_NP0 's_POS and_CJC Bernard_NP0 Picart_NP0 's_POS Cérémonies_NN2 et_NP0 coutumes_NN2 religieuses_NP0 de_NP0 tous_AJ0 les_NN1 peuples_NN2 du_VDB monde_NN1 (_PUL 1723_CRD –_PUN 43_CRD )_PUR provided_VVD descriptions_NN2 of_PRF diverse_AJ0 theologies_NN2 and_CJC offered_AJ0 illustrations_NN2 of_PRF how_AVQ people_NN0 around_PRP the_AT0 globe_NN1 practiced_VVD their_DPS beliefs_NN2 ._SENT Comparative_AJ0 analyses_NN2 of_PRF religions_NN2 allowed_VVN for_PRP the_AT0 exploration_NN1 of_PRF both_DT0 the_AT0 diversity_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 structural_AJ0 similarity_NN1 of_PRF past_AJ0 and_CJC present_AJ0 beliefs_NN2 ._SENT Religion_NN1 appeared_VVD as_PRP the_AT0 central_AJ0 unifying_AJ0 factor_NN1 of_PRF human_AJ0 culture_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC it_PNP offered_VVD a_AT0 key_NN1 to_PRP understanding_VVG other_AJ0 times_NN2 and_CJC places_NN2 ._SENT 
Although_CJS some_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 first_ORD academicians_NN2 ,_PUN such_DT0 as_PRP Jean_NP0 Mabillon_NP0 ,_PUN were_VBD notable_AJ0 historians_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 Church_NN1 ,_PUN much_DT0 of_PRF the_AT0 eighteenth-century_AJ0 research_NN1 at_PRP the_AT0 Académie_NP0 des_NP0 inscriptions_NN2 focused_VVN on_PRP pagan_AJ0 religions_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 Académie_NP0 's_POS studies_NN2 of_PRF ancient_AJ0 cults_NN2 and_CJC religions_NN2 ,_PUN which_DTQ significantly_AV0 outnumbered_VVD their_DPS research_NN1 into_PRP the_AT0 history_NN1 of_PRF Christianity_NN1 and_CJC Church_NN1 history_NN1 ,_PUN offer_NN1 insight_NN1 into_PRP how_AVQ eighteenth-century_AJ0 scholars_NN2 ,_PUN most_DT0 of_PRF whom_PNQ were_VBD still_AV0 devout_AJ0 Christians_NN2 ,_PUN tried_VVD to_TO0 make_VVI sense_NN1 of_PRF alien_AJ0 systems_NN2 of_PRF belief_NN1 ._SENT In_PRP many_DT0 cases_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 academicians_NN2 adopted_VVN what_DTQ might_VM0 be_VBI called_VVN proto-sociological_AJ0 explanations_NN2 for_PRP what_DTQ they_PNP saw_VVD as_AV0 superstitious_AJ0 and_CJC erroneous_AJ0 beliefs_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 ancients_NN2 ._SENT Many_DT0 tried_VVD to_TO0 offer_VVI psychological_AJ0 accounts_NN2 of_PRF superstition_NN1 ,_PUN citing_VVG ,_PUN above_PRP all_DT0 ,_PUN a_AT0 combination_NN1 of_PRF fear_NN1 and_CJC ignorance_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 face_NN1 of_PRF natural_AJ0 disasters_NN2 and_CJC calamities_NN2 ._SENT Nevertheless_AV0 ,_PUN the_AT0 academicians_NN2 often_AV0 tried_VVD to_TO0 see_VVI things_NN2 from_PRP the_AT0 perspective_NN1 of_PRF their_DPS historical_AJ0 subjects_NN2 ._SENT They_PNP sincerely_AV0 attempted_VVD to_TO0 describe_VVI what_DTQ people_NN0 in_PRP the_AT0 past_NN1 believed_VVN and_CJC to_TO0 explain_VVI the_AT0 possible_AJ0 reasons_NN2 for_PRP those_DT0 beliefs_NN2 ._SENT 
Although_CJS the_AT0 vast_AJ0 majority_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 academicians_NN2 were_VBD not_XX0 deists_NN2 or_CJC atheists_NN2 ,_PUN their_DPS studies_NN2 of_PRF past_AJ0 religions_NN2 proved_VVD to_TO0 be_VBI subversive_AJ0 to_PRP Christian_AJ0 dogma_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP exposed_VVD difficulties_NN2 about_PRP the_AT0 age_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Earth_NN1 and_CJC of_PRF humanity_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ was_VBD problematic_AJ0 for_PRP Judeo-Christian_AJ0 chronology_NN1 ;_PUN they_PNP showed_VVD how_AVQ religious_AJ0 leaders_NN2 acted_VVN as_PRP impostors_NN2 to_TO0 fabricate_VVI miracles_NN2 and_CJC manipulate_VVB popular_AJ0 superstitions_NN2 ;_PUN and_CJC they_PNP revealed_VVD uncanny_AJ0 similarities_NN2 between_PRP Christianity_NN1 and_CJC other_AJ0 mythological_AJ0 systems_NN2 ._SENT The_AT0 cumulative_AJ0 effect_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 academy_NN1 's_POS erudite_AJ0 studies_NN2 was_VBD thus_AV0 inevitably_AV0 corrosive_AJ0 to_PRP religious_AJ0 orthodoxy_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC it_PNP is_VBZ crucial_AJ0 to_PRP explaining_VVG the_AT0 central_AJ0 paradox_NN1 about_PRP the_AT0 subversive_AJ0 nature_NN1 of_PRF state-sponsored_AJ0 scholarship_NN1 ._SENT 
One_CRD of_PRF the_AT0 more_AV0 important_AJ0 questions_NN2 touched_VVN on_PRP the_AT0 origins_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 various_AJ0 religions_NN2 encountered_VVN in_PRP antiquity_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 academicians_NN2 and_CJC their_DPS counterparts_NN2 debated_VVN whether_CJS human_AJ0 beings_NN2 were_VBD initially_AV0 monotheists_NN2 or_CJC polytheists_NN2 ._SENT Generally_AV0 ,_PUN the_AT0 notion_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 primitive_AJ0 monotheism_NN1 that_CJT had_VHD been_VBN revealed_VVN to_PRP Adam_NP0 was_VBD the_AT0 more_AV0 orthodox_AJ0 and_CJC theologically_AV0 acceptable_AJ0 alternative_NN1 ._SENT The_AT0 abbé_NN1 Nicolas-Hubert_NP0 Mongault_NP0 maintained_VVD ,_PUN with_PRP many_DT0 of_PRF his_DPS contemporaries_NN2 ,_PUN that_CJT the_AT0 original_AJ0 belief_NN1 in_PRP a_AT0 single_AJ0 God_NP0 became_VVD corrupted_VVN and_CJC turned_VVN into_PRP idolatry_NN1 among_PRP the_AT0 Assyrians_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 Persians_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC the_AT0 Egyptians_NN2 ._SENT Having_VHG forgotten_VVN the_AT0 "_PUQ true_AJ0 ideas_NN2 of_PRF religion_NN1 ..._PUN their_DPS mind_NN1 ,_PUN instead_AV0 of_PRF lifting_VVG itself_PNX up_AVP to_PRP the_AT0 supreme_AJ0 being_NN1 and_CJC the_AT0 cause_NN1 of_PRF all_DT0 good_AJ0 things_NN2 ,_PUN stopped_VVN at_PRP inferior_AJ0 and_CJC sensible_AJ0 causes_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ Physical_AJ0 bodies_NN2 such_DT0 as_PRP the_AT0 sun_NN1 ,_PUN he_PNP argued_VVD ,_PUN "_PUQ became_VVD the_AT0 object_NN1 of_PRF their_DPS cult_NN1 that_CJT was_VBD regulated_VVN by_PRP their_DPS different_AJ0 "_PUQ natural_AJ0 and_CJC social_AJ0 needs_NN2 ._SENT 
The_AT0 academicians_NN2 sought_VVD to_TO0 explain_VVI the_AT0 origin_NN1 of_PRF cults_NN2 and_CJC superstitions_NN2 in_PRP ancient_AJ0 societies_NN2 ._SENT They_PNP usually_AV0 resorted_VVD to_PRP psychological_AJ0 or_CJC functionalist_AJ0 accounts_NN2 ._SENT In_PRP his_DPS article_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 cult_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 god_NN1 Bonus_NN1 Eventus_NP0 ,_PUN Philibert-Bernard_NP0 Moreau_NP0 de_NP0 Mautour_NP0 attributed_VVD the_AT0 origins_NN2 of_PRF cults_NN2 to_PRP "_PUQ self-interest_NN1 ,_PUN self-love_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC other_AJ0 passions_NN2 and_CJC vices_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ He_PNP compared_VVD "_PUQ the_AT0 religious_AJ0 and_CJC healthy_AJ0 fear_NN1 that_CJT ,_PUN in_PRP a_AT0 soul_NN1 enlightened_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 lights_NN2 of_PRF faith_NN1 ,_PUN is_VBZ the_AT0 principle_NN1 of_PRF wisdom_NN1 "_PUQ with_PRP a_AT0 primal_AJ0 ,_PUN unenlightened_AJ0 fear_NN1 that_CJT "_PUQ troubles_NN2 human_AJ0 beings_NN2 ..._PUN and_CJC that_DT0 was_VBD the_AT0 main_AJ0 source_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 superstition_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 pagans_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ The_AT0 academicians_NN2 thus_AV0 popularized_VVD the_AT0 idea_NN1 that_CJT religious_AJ0 cults_NN2 were_VBD informed_VVN by_PRP the_AT0 ignorance_NN1 of_PRF nature_NN1 's_POS laws_NN2 and_CJC motivated_VVN by_PRP basic_AJ0 psychological_AJ0 needs_NN2 ._SENT 
The_AT0 notion_NN1 that_CJT primal_AJ0 fear_NN1 was_VBD the_AT0 main_AJ0 motivating_AJ0 factor_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 establishment_NN1 of_PRF ancient_AJ0 systems_NN2 of_PRF belief_NN1 became_VVD a_AT0 widely_AV0 shared_AJ0 assumption_NN1 among_PRP the_AT0 academicians_NN2 ._SENT In_PRP his_DPS article_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 representations_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 gods_NN2 Fear_NN1 and_CJC Pallor_NN1 on_PRP Roman_AJ0 medals_NN2 ,_PUN Moreau_NP0 de_NP0 Mautour_NP0 argued_VVD that_CJT the_AT0 destructive_AJ0 powers_NN2 of_PRF nature_NN1 caused_VVD people_NN0 to_TO0 become_VVI idolatrous_AJ0 and_CJC "_PUQ to_TO0 seek_VVI protectors_NN2 who_PNQ would_VM0 save_VVI them_PNP from_PRP perils_NN2 that_CJT menaced_VVD them_PNP ._SENT "_PUQ They_PNP became_VVD accustomed_AJ0 "_PUQ to_TO0 fear_VVI a_AT0 hidden_AJ0 and_CJC secret_AJ0 power_NN1 "_PUQ that_CJT caused_VVD fortunes_NN2 and_CJC misfortunes_NN2 in_PRP their_DPS lives_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC over_PRP time_NN1 they_PNP established_VVD formal_AJ0 cults_NN2 ._SENT 
Abbé_NP0 Claude_NP0 François_NP0 Fraguier_NP0 's_POS article_NN1 on_PRP curses_NN2 that_CJT fathers_NN2 placed_VVN on_PRP their_DPS children_NN2 connected_VVN notions_NN2 of_PRF paternal_AJ0 authority_NN1 with_PRP the_AT0 origins_NN2 of_PRF cults_NN2 ._SENT He_PNP argued_VVD that_CJT there_EX0 was_VBD nothing_PNI more_AV0 natural_AJ0 for_PRP those_DT0 who_PNQ felt_VVD oppressed_AJ0 and_CJC weak_AJ0 than_CJS to_TO0 call_VVI upon_PRP the_AT0 help_NN1 of_PRF "_PUQ a_AT0 superior_AJ0 power_NN1 "_PUQ for_PRP protection_NN1 or_CJC "_PUQ vengeance_NN1 for_PRP the_AT0 evils_NN2 that_CJT they_PNP had_VHD suffered_VVN at_PRP the_AT0 hands_NN2 of_PRF others_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ He_PNP suggested_VVD that_CJT in_PRP order_NN1 to_TO0 discover_VVI the_AT0 origins_NN2 of_PRF cults_NN2 and_CJC religions_NN2 ,_PUN one_PNI had_VHD to_TO0 look_VVI back_AVP to_PRP a_AT0 time_NN1 before_PRP the_AT0 establishment_NN1 of_PRF states_NN2 and_CJC political_AJ0 institutions_NN2 ._SENT In_PRP these_DT0 early_AJ0 societies_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 children_NN2 's_POS "_PUQ duty_NN1 to_PRP their_DPS fathers_NN2 extended_VVN "_PUQ quite_AV0 far_AV0 and_CJC became_VVD a_AT0 "_PUQ formal_AJ0 aspect_NN1 of_PRF religion_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ Those_DT0 who_PNQ dared_VVD to_TO0 violate_VVI this_DT0 duty_NN1 would_VM0 incur_VVI the_AT0 "_PUQ anger_NN1 and_CJC vengeance_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 gods_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ Over_PRP time_NN1 ,_PUN Fraguier_NP0 argued_VVD ,_PUN inner_AJ0 feelings_NN2 of_PRF remorse_NN1 ,_PUN shame_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC guilt_NN1 became_VVD externalized_AJ0 ,_PUN transforming_VVG into_PRP divinities_NN2 (_PUL the_AT0 Furies_NN2 )_PUR who_PNQ would_VM0 punish_VVI transgressors_NN2 ._SENT 
The_AT0 idea_NN1 that_CJT the_AT0 pagan_AJ0 gods_NN2 were_VBD fashioned_VVN through_PRP attempts_NN2 to_TO0 externalize_VVI guilt_NN1 and_CJC shame_NN1 had_VHD many_DT0 supporters_NN2 at_PRP the_AT0 Académie_NP0 des_NP0 inscriptions_NN2 ._SENT Étienne_NP0 Lauréault_NP0 de_NP0 Foncemagne_NP0 's_POS essay_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 goddess_NN1 Laverna_NP0 highlighted_VVD the_AT0 anthropomorphic_AJ0 nature_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Greek_AJ0 and_CJC Roman_AJ0 gods_NN2 ,_PUN observing_VVG that_CJT people_NN0 tried_VVD to_TO0 justify_VVI their_DPS "_PUQ most_DT0 shameful_AJ0 weaknesses_NN2 by_PRP recognizing_VVG as_PRP the_AT0 object_NN1 of_PRF [_PUL their_DPS ]_PUR cult_NN1 divinities_NN2 as_CJS weak_AJ0 as_CJS them_PNP and_CJC susceptible_AJ0 to_PRP the_AT0 same_DT0 passions_NN2 [_PUL as_CJS them_PNP ]_PUR ._SENT "_PUQ Even_AV0 theft_NN1 ,_PUN which_DTQ was_VBD a_AT0 crime_NN1 "_PUQ that_CJT most_AV0 directly_AV0 attacked_VVN civil_AJ0 society_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ was_VBD "_PUQ consecrated_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 person_NN1 of_PRF Mercury_NP0 ,_PUN "_PUQ as_CJS "_PUQ the_AT0 son_NN1 of_PRF Jupiter_NP0 was_VBD chosen_VVN as_PRP the_AT0 patron_NN1 of_PRF thieves_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ In_PRP his_DPS dissertation_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 Fates_NN2 (_PUL parques_NN2 )_PUR ,_PUN the_AT0 abbé_NN1 Antoine_NP0 Banier_NP0 similarly_AV0 argued_VVD that_CJT the_AT0 true_AJ0 origin_NN1 of_PRF these_DT0 divinities_NN2 was_VBD to_TO0 be_VBI found_VVN in_PRP human_AJ0 self-love_NN1 and_CJC desire_NN1 to_TO0 shun_VVI blame_NN1 and_CJC responsibility_NN1 for_PRP improper_AJ0 actions_NN2 ._SENT It_PNP was_VBD precisely_AV0 to_TO0 "_PUQ avoid_VVI the_AT0 remorse_NN1 of_PRF a_AT0 criminal_AJ0 conscience_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP argued_VVD ,_PUN that_DT0 people_NN0 "_PUQ invented_VVN Gods_NN2 that_CJT drove_VVD us_PNP to_PRP crimes_NN2 by_PRP a_AT0 fatal_AJ0 necessity_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ As_CJS a_AT0 result_NN1 ,_PUN ancient_AJ0 tragedies_NN2 always_AV0 blamed_VVD the_AT0 gods_NN2 for_PRP the_AT0 misfortunes_NN2 that_CJT human_AJ0 beings_NN2 seemingly_AV0 brought_VVD upon_PRP themselves_PNX ._SENT Banier_NP0 's_POS essay_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 Furies_NN2 likewise_AV0 insisted_VVD that_CJT paganism_NN1 was_VBD originally_AV0 conceived_VVN as_PRP a_AT0 way_NN1 to_TO0 indulge_VVI human_AJ0 passions_NN2 ,_PUN thereby_AV0 justifying_VVG the_AT0 weakness_NN1 of_PRF human_AJ0 nature_NN1 ._SENT Consequently_AV0 ,_PUN the_AT0 gods_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 ancient_AJ0 pagans_NN2 resembled_VVD human_AJ0 beings_NN2 in_PRP their_DPS decadent_AJ0 behaviors_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC religion_NN1 provided_VVD a_AT0 kind_NN1 of_PRF excuse_NN1 for_PRP unvirtuous_AJ0 acts_NN2 ._SENT 
At_PRP the_AT0 same_DT0 time_NN1 ,_PUN Banier_NP0 agreed_VVD with_PRP his_DPS fellow_AJ0 academicians_NN2 that_CJT pagan_AJ0 religions_NN2 contained_VVD mechanisms_NN2 for_PRP regulating_VVG behaviors_NN2 ._SENT Well_AV0 before_CJS the_AT0 Christians_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 ancients_NN2 came_VVD up_AVP with_PRP notions_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 afterlife_NN1 in_PRP which_DTQ crimes_NN2 and_CJC transgressions_NN2 would_VM0 be_VBI punished_VVN ,_PUN while_CJS virtues_NN2 would_VM0 be_VBI rewarded_VVN ._SENT Even_AV0 in_PRP periods_NN2 of_PRF great_AJ0 ignorance_NN1 when_CJS "_PUQ the_AT0 depravity_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 heart_NN1 cast_NN1 shadows_NN2 over_PRP the_AT0 mind_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ he_PNP noted_VVD ,_PUN people_NN0 could_VM0 still_AV0 understand_VVI that_CJT "_PUQ virtue_NN1 is_VBZ not_XX0 always_AV0 recompensed_VVN in_PRP this_DT0 world_NN1 nor_CJC are_VBB crimes_NN2 [_PUL always_AV0 ]_PUR punished_VVD ._SENT "_PUQ Consequently_AV0 ,_PUN they_PNP came_VVD up_AVP with_PRP the_AT0 notion_NN1 that_CJT there_EX0 had_VHD to_TO0 be_VBI a_AT0 place_NN1 "_PUQ to_TO0 punish_VVI the_AT0 evil_NN1 and_CJC reward_VVB the_AT0 good_AJ0 ,_PUN "_PUQ and_CJC that_DT0 is_VBZ how_AVQ they_PNP came_VVD up_AVP with_PRP the_AT0 idea_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Elysian_AJ0 Fields_NN2 ._SENT 
These_DT0 accounts_NN2 tried_VVD to_TO0 demonstrate_VVI how_AVQ corrupted_AJ0 understandings_NN2 that_CJT lost_VVD sight_NN1 of_PRF original_AJ0 monotheistic_AJ0 ideas_NN2 tried_VVD to_TO0 make_VVI sense_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 world_NN1 around_PRP them_PNP ._SENT Although_CJS primitive_AJ0 monotheism_NN1 was_VBD widely_AV0 supported_VVN ,_PUN the_AT0 academicians_NN2 '_POS accounts_NN2 of_PRF ancient_AJ0 religions_NN2 focused_VVN almost_AV0 exclusively_AV0 on_PRP paganism_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP explained_VVD how_AVQ the_AT0 ancients_NN2 worshipped_VVD their_DPS gods_NN2 and_CJC shed_NN1 light_NN1 on_PRP the_AT0 psychological_AJ0 origins_NN2 of_PRF various_AJ0 superstitions_NN2 ._SENT Such_DT0 an_AT0 approach_NN1 signaled_VVD a_AT0 subtle_AJ0 shift_NN1 away_AV0 from_PRP the_AT0 humanist_AJ0 pursuit_NN1 of_PRF prisca_NN1 sapientia_NN1 ,_PUN of_PRF pristine_AJ0 theological_AJ0 and_CJC philosophical_AJ0 knowledge_NN1 that_CJT supposedly_AV0 had_VHD been_VBN available_AJ0 to_PRP the_AT0 ancients_NN2 ._SENT Rather_AV0 than_CJS looking_VVG at_PRP how_AVQ the_AT0 purportedly_AV0 original_AJ0 and_CJC true_AJ0 religion_NN1 was_VBD perverted_VVN by_PRP pagan_AJ0 beliefs_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 academicians_NN2 attempted_VVD to_TO0 examine_VVI ancient_AJ0 paganism_NN1 on_PRP its_DPS own_DT0 terms_NN2 ,_PUN treating_VVG antiquity_NN1 as_PRP a_AT0 foreign_AJ0 culture_NN1 worthy_AJ0 of_PRF exploration_NN1 for_PRP its_DPS own_DT0 sake_NN1 ._SENT 
Not_XX0 all_DT0 embraced_VVD the_AT0 theory_NN1 of_PRF primitive_AJ0 monotheism_NN1 ,_PUN however_AV0 ._SENT Charles_NP0 de_NP0 Brosses_NP0 ,_PUN who_PNQ invented_VVD the_AT0 term_NN1 "_PUQ fetishism_NN1 ,_PUN "_PUQ claimed_VVD that_CJT the_AT0 ancient_AJ0 Egyptian_AJ0 religion_NN1 was_VBD always_AV0 based_VVN on_PRP the_AT0 practice_NN1 of_PRF animal_NN1 worship_NN1 ._SENT He_PNP rejected_VVD the_AT0 notion_NN1 that_CJT this_DT0 practice_NN1 contained_VVD any_DT0 underlying_AJ0 figurative_AJ0 or_CJC mystical_AJ0 meanings_NN2 ,_PUN as_CJS earlier_AJC scholars_NN2 like_PRP Athanasius_NP0 Kircher_NP0 had_VHD claimed_VVN ._SENT Comparing_VVG Egyptian_AJ0 ceremonies_NN2 to_PRP religious_AJ0 practices_NN2 in_PRP contemporary_AJ0 Guinea_NP0 (_PUL about_PRP which_DTQ he_PNP read_VVB in_PRP travel_NN1 accounts_NN2 )_PUR ,_PUN de_NP0 Brosses_NP0 insisted_VVD that_CJT all_DT0 religions_NN2 of_PRF early_AJ0 human_AJ0 societies_NN2 involved_VVD similar_AJ0 structural_AJ0 elements_NN2 of_PRF what_DTQ he_PNP called_VVD "_PUQ brute-worship_NN1 ._SENT "_PUQ So-called_AJ0 primitive_AJ0 human_AJ0 beings_NN2 reasoned_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 manner_NN1 of_PRF children_NN2 and_CJC were_VBD missing_VVG the_AT0 spark_NN1 of_PRF true_AJ0 religion_NN1 ._SENT De_NP0 Brosses_NP0 argued_VVD that_CJT they_PNP worshiped_VVD animals_NN2 and_CJC objects_NN2 because_CJS they_PNP were_VBD unable_AJ0 to_TO0 formulate_VVI abstract_AJ0 notions_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 divinity_NN1 ,_PUN suggesting_VVG ,_PUN as_CJS David_NP0 Hume_NP0 had_VHD three_CRD years_NN2 earlier_AV0 ,_PUN that_CJT the_AT0 first_ORD societies_NN2 were_VBD not_XX0 monotheistic_AJ0 ,_PUN but_CJC polytheistic_AJ0 and_CJC idolatrous_AJ0 ._SENT Such_DT0 views_NN2 challenged_VVD the_AT0 orthodox_AJ0 Christian_AJ0 concept_NN1 of_PRF an_AT0 original_AJ0 Adamic_AJ0 religion_NN1 ,_PUN and_CJC they_PNP would_VM0 be_VBI taken_VVN up_AVP by_PRP atheist_AJ0 thinkers_NN2 ,_PUN such_DT0 as_PRP the_AT0 baron_NN1 d'Holbach_NP0 and_CJC Nicolas-Antoine_NP0 Boulanger_NP0 ._SENT 
Boulanger_NP0 's_POS work_NN1 in_PRP particular_AJ0 revealed_AJ0 strong_AJ0 debts_NN2 to_PRP the_AT0 Académie_NP0 's_POS research_NN1 ._SENT His_DPS L'antiquité_NP0 dévoilée_NN1 par_NN1 ses_VVZ usages_NN2 (_PUL 1766_CRD )_PUR cited_VVD the_AT0 Mémoires_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 Académie_NP0 des_NP0 inscriptions_NN2 in_PRP numerous_AJ0 places_NN2 ,_PUN and_CJC his_DPS analysis_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 psychological_AJ0 origins_NN2 of_PRF pagan_AJ0 religions_NN2 strongly_AV0 resembled_VVD the_AT0 reasoning_NN1 of_PRF academicians_NN2 such_DT0 as_PRP Banier_NP0 ,_PUN de_NP0 Brosses_NP0 ,_PUN Fraguier_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC Moreau_NP0 de_NP0 Mautour_NP0 ._SENT Like_PRP his_DPS earlier_AJC Recherches_NP0 sur_NN1 l'origine_NP0 du_NP0 despotisme_NN1 oriental_AJ0 (_PUL 1761_CRD )_PUR ,_PUN Boulanger_NP0 's_POS L'antiquité_NP0 dévoilée_NN1 traced_VVD the_AT0 origins_NN2 of_PRF ancient_AJ0 religions_NN2 to_PRP how_AVQ early_AJ0 societies_NN2 responded_VVN to_PRP natural_AJ0 disasters_NN2 ,_PUN such_DT0 as_PRP floods_NN2 and_CJC fires_NN2 ._SENT References_NN2 to_PRP these_DT0 events_NN2 and_CJC to_PRP the_AT0 universal_AJ0 Flood_NN1 appeared_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 histories_NN2 of_PRF all_DT0 ancient_AJ0 peoples_NN2 ,_PUN testifying_VVG to_PRP the_AT0 high_AJ0 likelihood_NN1 that_CJT the_AT0 deluge_NN1 was_VBD in_PRP fact_NN1 universal_AJ0 ._SENT Following_VVG the_AT0 Flood_NN1 ,_PUN Boulanger_NP0 hypothesized_VVD ,_PUN human_AJ0 nature_NN1 became_VVD fundamentally_AV0 transformed_VVN ._SENT Traumatized_VVN by_PRP such_DT0 calamities_NN2 and_CJC subject_NN1 to_PRP the_AT0 whims_NN2 of_PRF nature_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 earth_NN1 's_POS inhabitants_NN2 lived_VVD in_PRP a_AT0 state_NN1 of_PRF constant_AJ0 fear_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP reconstituted_VVD societies_NN2 anew_AV0 ,_PUN inventing_VVG religious_AJ0 ceremonies_NN2 and_CJC rituals_NN2 that_CJT ,_PUN according_VVG to_PRP their_DPS feeble_AJ0 understanding_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 laws_NN2 of_PRF nature_NN1 ,_PUN would_VM0 pacify_VVI deities_NN2 who_PNQ they_PNP thought_VVD controlled_AJ0 natural_AJ0 phenomena_NN2 ._SENT Thus_AV0 ,_PUN Boulanger_NP0 attributed_VVD the_AT0 origins_NN2 of_PRF ancient_AJ0 religious_AJ0 and_CJC political_AJ0 institutions_NN2 to_PRP the_AT0 traumatic_AJ0 experiences_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 universal_AJ0 deluge_NN1 ._SENT Like_PRP his_DPS counterparts_NN2 at_PRP the_AT0 Académie_NP0 des_NP0 inscriptions_NN2 ,_PUN he_PNP saw_VVD myths_NN2 and_CJC fables_NN2 as_PRP important_AJ0 sources_NN2 for_PRP uncovering_VVG the_AT0 historical_AJ0 foundations_NN2 of_PRF human_AJ0 societies_NN2 ._SENT 
Functionalist_AJ0 explanations_NN2 of_PRF religious_AJ0 practices_NN2 
In_PRP seeking_VVG to_TO0 make_VVI sense_NN1 of_PRF ancient_AJ0 religions_NN2 and_CJC cults_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 academicians_NN2 often_AV0 adopted_VVN functionalist_AJ0 explanations_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 role_NN1 that_CJT people_NN0 's_POS beliefs_NN2 and_CJC practices_NN2 played_VVN in_PRP the_AT0 maintenance_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 social_AJ0 order_NN1 ._SENT Rather_AV0 than_CJS highlighting_VVG the_AT0 ignorance_NN1 and_CJC superstition_NN1 of_PRF those_DT0 who_PNQ believed_VVD in_PRP the_AT0 pagan_AJ0 divinities_NN2 ,_PUN the_AT0 scholars_NN2 at_PRP the_AT0 Académie_NP0 examined_VVD how_AVQ different_AJ0 religious_AJ0 rituals_NN2 worked_VVD to_TO0 promote_VVI human_AJ0 association_NN1 ._SENT They_PNP also_AV0 highlighted_VVD the_AT0 ways_NN2 in_PRP which_DTQ these_DT0 practices_NN2 helped_VVD to_TO0 establish_VVI laws_NN2 and_CJC contribute_VVB to_PRP the_AT0 functioning_NN1 and_CJC progress_NN1 of_PRF ancient_AJ0 societies_NN2 ._SENT 
While_CJS the_AT0 academicians_NN2 were_VBD frequently_AV0 critical_AJ0 of_PRF ancient_AJ0 superstitions_NN2 ,_PUN they_PNP also_AV0 perceived_VVD the_AT0 social_AJ0 and_CJC political_AJ0 utility_NN1 of_PRF pagan_AJ0 religions_NN2 ._SENT For_PRP example_NN1 ,_PUN in_PRP explaining_VVG the_AT0 origins_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 cult_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 god_NN1 Terminus_NN1 ,_PUN Claude_NP0 Gros_NP0 de_NP0 Boze_NP0 ,_PUN the_AT0 perpetual_AJ0 secretary_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Académie_NP0 from_PRP 1706_CRD to_PRP 1742_CRD ,_PUN examined_VVD how_AVQ Roman_AJ0 king_NN1 Numa_NP0 Pompilius_NP0 tried_VVD to_TO0 curb_VVI popular_AJ0 passions_NN2 ._SENT Seeking_VVG to_TO0 curtail_VVI the_AT0 human_AJ0 drive_NN1 to_TO0 expand_VVI one_PNI 's_POS domination_NN1 over_PRP others_NN2 ,_PUN which_DTQ inevitably_AV0 led_VVD to_PRP violent_AJ0 wars_NN2 ,_PUN Numa_NP0 established_VVD this_DT0 cult_NN1 of_PRF Terminus_NN1 ,_PUN the_AT0 god_NN1 of_PRF boundaries_NN2 ._SENT According_VVG to_PRP Gros_NP0 de_NP0 Boze_NP0 ,_PUN Numa_NP0 revived_VVD an_AT0 ancient_AJ0 law_NN1 but_CJC "_PUQ added_AJ0 new_AJ0 penalties_NN2 "_PUQ and_CJC ,_PUN to_TO0 make_VVI it_PNP "_PUQ more_AV0 sacred_AJ0 and_CJC inviolable_AJ0 ,_PUN he_PNP persuaded_VVD people_NN0 that_CJT there_EX0 was_VBD a_AT0 particular_AJ0 god_NN1 "_PUQ who_PNQ served_VVD as_PRP "_PUQ the_AT0 protector_NN1 of_PRF borders_NN2 and_CJC the_AT0 avenger_NN1 of_PRF usurpations_NN2 ._SENT "_PUQ The_AT0 Roman_AJ0 legislator_NN1 thus_AV0 found_VVD it_PNP necessary_AJ0 "_PUQ to_TO0 involve_VVI religion_NN1 in_PRP politics_NN1 "_PUQ in_PRP order_NN1 to_TO0 "_PUQ restrain_VVI by_PRP the_AT0 fear_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 Gods_NN2 "_PUQ those_DT0 who_PNQ were_VBD not_XX0 controlled_VVN by_PRP established_AJ0 laws_NN2 ._SENT Like_PRP Niccolò_NP0 Machiavelli_NP0 's_POS examination_NN1 of_PRF the_AT0 practical_AJ0 effects_NN2 of_PRF the_AT0 Roman_AJ0 religion_NN1 in_PRP the_AT0 Discourses_NN2 on_PRP Livy_NP0 (_PUL 1531_CRD )_PUR ,_PUN Gros_NP0 de_NP0 Boze_NP0 's_POS analysis_NN1 drew_VVD on_PRP Livy_NP0 but_CJC also_AV0 relied_VVN on_PRP other_AJ0 historians_NN2 ,_PUN including_PRP Polybius_NP0 ,_PUN Plutarch_NP0 ,_PUN Suetonius_NP0 ,_PUN and_CJC Dionysius_NP0 of_PRF Halicarnassus_NP0 ._SENT 
