He suggests at some points that the pagan deities are based on humans, but at others that they are misanthropic demons, and he cites several classical sources in support of this second hypothesis. Clement, like many pre-Nicene fathers, writes favourably about Euhemerus and other rationalist philosophers, on the grounds that they at least saw the flaws in paganism.
He proposes at some junctures that the pagan deities are grounded in humans, but elsewhere he considers them misanthropic demons. He references several classical sources to support this latter hypothesis. Like many pre-Nicene fathers, Clement endorses Euhemerus and other rationalist philosophers; they acknowledge the flaws within paganism.