polytheistic

Polytheistic describes belief systems that involve the worship of multiple deities. The term comes from the Greek poly- meaning "many" and theos meaning "god." In such systems, gods or goddesses typically have distinct identities, personalities, and spheres of influence, and they may figure in myths, rituals, calendars, and temples. Worship often centers on offerings, festivals, and prayers directed to specific deities for particular needs or occasions.

Polytheism is not a single doctrine but a family of traditions. Some forms are pluralistic and organized around a pantheon, while others may be henotheistic—devotion to one god while not denying others—or syncretic, absorbing deities from other traditions. Ritual practices and social structures can vary widely, with priesthoods, sacred associations, and guilds linked to particular deities.

Historically, polytheistic belief was widespread in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, the Indus Valley, Greece and Rome, Mesoamerica, and across many African, Oceanian, and indigenous cultures. In some contexts, deities personify natural forces, cosmic order, or familial and social roles. Many traditions have been described as polytheistic in contrast to monotheistic belief systems; modern scholarship sometimes emphasizes the complexity and diversity within polytheism.