PreChristian
PreChristian is an adjective used in history, archaeology, and religious studies to describe periods, cultures, and practices that existed before the widespread adoption or dominance of Christianity. The term covers a range of beliefs and institutions across different regions and eras, and its boundaries vary by context.
Origin and usage: The construction is a compound of pre- and Christian. In scholarly writing it signals
Regional and temporal scope: In Europe, the label often refers to Greco-Roman polytheism and local folk traditions
Criticism and alternatives: Some scholars argue that the term presupposes Christianity as a benchmark and can
See also: Paganism, Christianization, Classical antiquity, Religions of the ancient world, Indigenous religions.