Editing Hellenism (modern religion) (section)

===18th century===
During the 18th century, several notable authors and [[Freethought|freethinkers]] embraced Ancient Greek religion to some extent, studying and translating ancient works of theology and philosophy, and in some cases composing original hymns and devotionals to the [[List of Greek deities|Ancient Greek pantheon]]. The English author [[John Fransham]] (1730–1810) was one example, considered an eccentric by his peers, who was also referred to as a pagan and a polytheist. In Fransham's 1769 book ''The Oestrum of Orpheus'', he advanced a theology similar to that of the [[Neoplatonism|Neoplatonists]]: that the first cause of existence is uncreated and indestructible, but not intelligent, and that the universe is shaped by "innumerable intelligent powers or forces, 'plastic and designing', who ruled all sublunary affairs, and may most fitly be designated by the nomenclature of the Hellenic theology."<ref name="survival" /> Despite his apparent belief in the Hellenic gods, Fransham does not seem to have been particularly devoted to their worship. According to an 1875 profile in ''[[Fraser's Magazine]]'', Fransham's "[[libation]]s to the [[Penates]] found their way [[Drinking|down his own throat]], and when he sacrificed a fowl to [[Asclepius|'Esculapius]] it was usually in the form of chicken-[[broth]] for his supper."<ref name="survival" />

Another example of an 18th-century literary figure who may have considered himself a Hellenist was [[Thomas Taylor (neoplatonist)|Thomas Taylor]] (1758–1835), who produced the first English translations of many neoplatonic philosophical and religious texts. Taylor was widely known as the "English Platonist", and rumors existed that he had produced anonymous pamphlets advocating a return to a sort of pagan religion (these rumors have been debunked by modern scholars<ref>Addey, Tim. [http://www.prometheustrust.co.uk/Why_Thomas_Taylor_is_not_the_author_of_A_New_System_of_Religion.pdf "Why Thomas Taylor is not the author of ''A New System of Religion''"]. Prometheus Trust.</ref>). Though the extent of his actual devotion to Ancient Greek spirituality remains unknown, brief descriptions written by others about him tend to portray him as a sincerely devout polytheist.<ref name="survival" /> One such sketch, written by [[Isaac D'Israeli]], describes Taylor delaying answering his door until he has finished his mid-day hymn to [[Apollo]], and reports that his study contained a hanging globe of clear glass, representing [[Zeus]], that scattered sunbeams he would use to read and write, shifting his position in the room to follow them throughout the day.<ref name="survival" />

In 1779, the German writer [[Johann Wolfgang von Goethe]] wrote in his diary that "the beautiful gods continue to visit me". He did not profess a literal belief in the deities of Classical Greece, rather perceiving them to be poetic symbols of his own deepest experience.

His work inspired a limited number of devotees.<ref name="survival">"The Survival of Paganism". ''Fraser's Magazine'', New Series vol. XII. July–December 1875. London: Longmans, Green, and Co.</ref> The most notable was Godefroi Izarn, the Marquis de Valadi, a young member of a wealthy French family who adopted a "[[Pythagoreanism|Pythagorean]] mode of life". In 1788, Valadi traveled to [[England]] in order to convince an unnamed "gentleman of eminence in the literary world" to become the head of a new Pythagorean sect, assuring him that Valadi would help him find numerous followers.<ref name="valadi">"Modern Platonism". ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=iXhIAAAAYAAJ&dq The Annual Register, Or, A View of the History, Politics, and Literature for the Year 1797]''. London: 1800, pp. 438–439.</ref> He refused, and suggested Valadi learn Greek and become the head of the sect himself. Valadi began his studies at [[Glasgow]], where he learned of Taylor, to whom he wrote in a letter:

{{blockquote|My determination was to go and live in North America, and there to keep a school of temperance and love, in order to preserve so many men from the prevailing vices of brutal intemperance and selfish cupidity ... There I would devoutly erect altars to my favourite Gods: [[Castor and Pollux|Dioscuri]], [[Hector]], [[Aristomenes]], [[Pan (god)|Pan]], [[Orpheus]], [[Epaminondas]], [[Pythagoras]], [[Pluto (mythology)|Pluto]], [[Timoleon]], [[Marcus Brutus]] and his [[Porcia (wife of Brutus)|Portia]], and above all, [[Helios|Phoebus]], the God of my hero [[Julian (emperor)|Julian]] ...<ref name=survival/>}}

Valadi paid Taylor to live in his house and study under him, but his tenure as Taylor's disciple was short lived. He returned to France to fight in the [[French Revolution]] in 1789 (he reportedly said, "I came over [[Diogenes]]. I am going back [[Alexander the Great|Alexander]]"), and was executed by [[guillotine]] in December 1793 during the [[Reign of Terror]].<ref name="valadi" />