British spelling: to interpret or explain something by removing mythological elements and finding the literal or historical truth underneath.
From de- (remove) + mythologise (create or explain through mythology). Mythologise from mythology, from Greek mythos + logia. British -ise ending vs American -ize.
When scholars demythologise ancient texts, they're asking 'what really happened here underneath the legendary storytelling?'—it's detective work on ancient stories!
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