<P> There are no official naming practices for this religion , but there does seem to be an informal naming convention , based on academically accepted descriptive definitions , adhered to by groups and most individual believers . Hellenism is the most common term , used chiefly as an identifier for the modern polytheistic religion by its adherents today but it can also refer to the ancient Greek religion and culture . The term originally stems from a systematization and revival of Greek religion done by the Roman Emperor Julian . Julian used the term to describe traditional religion of the Greeks ( the word can also have other unrelated meanings in modern Greek ) . Additionally , subgroups use a variety of names to distinguish branches focusing on specific schools of thought , or modern traditions focusing on the public practices of individual city - states . These subgroups can be described as denominations . Hellenic religion , and Hellenic polytheism can be said to be used interchangeably to refer to the religion , and are synonymous . The phrase Hellenic Polytheistic Reconstructionism refers more to the methodology used by some practitioners to revive a version of the religion , than the religion itself . Not all Hellenic Polytheists are reconstructionists . Dodekatheism and Olympianism are other names , though less commonly used . </P>
what is it called when you believe in greek gods
Hellenism