Paganos

Paganos is a term that has been used historically to refer to people who practiced indigenous religions in contrast to adherents of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, particularly during the Roman Empire and the early Middle Ages. The word originates from the Latin "paganus," which originally meant "country dweller" or "rustic." As Christianity became the dominant religion in the Roman Empire, those who continued to practice older, pre-Christian traditions, often associated with rural areas, came to be referred to by this term.

The practices of pagans varied greatly across different regions and cultures. These religions were often polytheistic, involving the worship of multiple deities associated with natural forces, ancestors, and specific aspects of life. Rituals, sacrifices, and festivals were common elements of pagan worship, and beliefs often centered on the interconnectedness of the human and natural worlds. Over time, with the increasing influence and eventual dominance of Christianity, many pagan traditions were suppressed, syncretized with Christian beliefs, or faded away.

In modern times, the term "pagan" has been revived by various contemporary spiritual movements that draw inspiration from ancient pre-Christian religions. These modern pagan traditions, often collectively referred to as Neopaganism, encompass a wide range of beliefs and practices, including Wicca, Druidry, and various forms of reconstructed polytheism. While sharing a common interest in pre-Christian European heritage, these modern groups are diverse and do not represent a single, unified religious system.