Enthousiasmos

Enthousiasmos (Greek ἐνθουσιασμός) is a Greek noun meaning divine inspiration or possession by a god. The form is built from en (in, within) and theos (god) with a suffix indicating a state or condition, yielding “a state of being inspired by a god.” It is the etymological root of the English word enthusiasm, which preserves the sense of intense zeal.

In classical Greek usage, enthousiasmos described occasions when individuals—such as priests, poets, or oracular performers—were believed to be temporarily inhabited by a deity, allowing them to utter or perform under divine influence. The term also came to denote intense zeal or ardor directed toward a person, a god, or a pursuit.

With the rise of Christian thought, the concept acquired theological nuance, sometimes describing being filled with the Holy Spirit. In later periods, enthusiasm could carry pejorative connotations of excessive zeal or fanaticism, depending on context and rhetoric. In modern English, enthusiasm generally denotes vigorous interest or eagerness and is typically secular in everyday usage, though its historical sense remains a point of reference in discussions of religious experience.

Scholarly discussions of enthousiasmos frequently address its role in religious experience, rhetoric, and the historical development of the word enthusiasm. Related terms include enthusiasm, enthusiast, and ecstasy, which reflect overlapping ideas about inspiration, ardor, and altered states of consciousness.