The ‘Mapping Ancient Polytheisms‘ project has created the first semantic database of linguistic resources on interactions between men and gods. It is based on documents from the 1000 BC to 400 AD period (almost 1500 years) from the Mediterranean basin in Greek and Semitic languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, Phoenician, Punic, etc.). This database can be accessed on and downloaded from an academic repository and explored on a dedicated platform. A great deal of work went into compiling and indexing the data from what is a ‘niche’ research field to make them accessible to the general public. The database is regularly expanded thanks to analysis of new sources which makes it possible to aim towards exhaustiveness in religious studies on polytheism.
This project received ERC ‘Advanced Grant’ funding and involves a team from the University of Toulouse.