Cultural Divinity and Identity

This chapter explores the personification of cultures through deities and significant figures, examining how national identities are represented, particularly in early America. It discusses the implications of these representations on societal beliefs and the resurgence of pagan ideologies, contrasting them with modern interpretations of historical philosophical figures. The chapter also highlights the interplay between natural phenomena and spiritual entities, as well as the historical practices surrounding these beliefs, setting the stage for further exploration of these themes from a Second Temple Jewish perspective.