Among the ancients, all religion was more or less a mystery

Among the ancients, all religion was more or less a mystery, and hence religions, and especially the mystery of religions, were closely associated with philosophy. Among pagans, the multitude of allegories and symbols in the religions became accepted as realities, and the worship of celestial luminaries, imaginary deities with human passions, appetites and lusts, and of idols in the forms of stones, animals and even reptiles was commonplace.
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