The Turning Point (1000 BCE–0 CE)

The classical world of Greece and Rome brought a philosophical lens to myths, interpreting them as allegories rather than literal truths. Structured religions like Zoroastrianism and Judaism began to dominate, leading to skepticism of supernatural beings and practices. Persecution of witches, diviners, and other practitioners increased as empires sought control through centralized beliefs. By 0 CE, much of the supernatural had gone into hiding, persisting only in secret traditions and the fading echoes of folklore.