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Ancient gods and goddesses that took the forms of humans only to die and resurrect in the spring season include Baal, Melqart, Adonis, Tammuz, Dionysus, Ishtar, Persephone, and Bari. The similarities don't stop there. Other gods or messiah-like "saviors" were crucified on a cross or tree before ascending into heaven. According to Kersey Graves, author of The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors, these early Christs include familiar names like Krishna, Prometheus, and Quezalcoatl of Mexico. The theory that Jesus was just a new name for an old story is called the "Christ myth theory."