Seeing as how history and humanity has already shaped itself around the idea that he actually did exist, it probably would not have made a difference if he didn't exist. But yes, the study of it is important (especially if we were able to know how his 'myth' was able to have pervaded if it was actually proven/concluded that he never did exist).
Although it may be somewhat of a useless excercise, as the post below suggests.
This message last edited by Monotonous Mantra on 4/20/2004 at 2:01:44 AM.