The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors is a controversial and groundbreaking work of comparative religion and mythology that challenges orthodox Christian narratives. First published in the 19th century, it presents a compilation of pre-Christian savior figures from various cultures—including Krishna of India, Mithra of Persia, and Horus of Egypt—each said to share striking biographical similarities with Jesus Christ, such as miraculous births, ministries, crucifixions, and resurrections. The author argues that these parallels demonstrate that the story of Jesus is not a unique historical event but rather a recurring mythological archetype, a "solar myth" representing the annual cycle of the sun. The book ignited fierce debate by asserting that Christianity borrowed its core tenets from earlier pagan traditions, making it a foundational text for freethinkers, secularists, and those interested in the historical study of religious syncretism.
