potheosis

[In Ger. apotheose; Fr. apotheose; Sp. apoteosis; Port. apotheosis, apotheose; Ital. apoteosi; Lat. apotheosis; Gr. ἀποθέωσις ( apotheosis ), from ἀποθεόω ( apotheoō ) =to deify: ἀπό ( αρο ) = away, and θεόω (theoo) = to deify; θεός (theos) = God.] The deification of a human being; the elevating to the rank of the "gods" of a person who was remarkable for virtue, for heroism, or even for audacious vice. Temples were then built to the new divinity, priests appointed, sacri fices offered, and probably festivals instituted. The Romans called apotheosis consecration, and were accustomed in this way to honour their deceased emperors. It still exists in India and other pagan countries. according to which, that which the Grecians call apotheosis, and the Latins relatio inter divos , was the supreme honour which man cou could attribute ribute unto man."- Bacon : Adv. of Learn., bk. i.