Ante-Nicene Fathers • VOLUME 6
Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius, Julius Africanus & Others
SECTION 201
58. But they were written by unlearned and ignorant men, and should not therefore be readily believed. See that this be not rather a stronge
58. But they were written by unlearned and ignorant men, and should not therefore be readily believed. See that this be not rather a stronger reason for believing that they have not been adulterated by any false statements, but were put forth by men of simple mind, who knew not how to trick out their tales with meretricious orna…
2,202 wordsSECTION 202[3371] The construction is a little involved, quæ nulli nec homines scire nec ipsi qui appellantur dii mundi queunt--"which none, neither me
[3371] The construction is a little involved, quæ nulli nec homines scire nec ipsi qui appellantur dii mundi queunt--"which none, neither men can know, nor those...of the world can reach, except those whom," etc. [3372] In the Latin, vel potestate inversa, which according to Oehler is the ms. reading, while Orelli speaks of it …
1,787 wordsSECTION 203Book II. [3398]
Book II. [3398] ------------------------ 1. Here, if any means could be found, I should wish to converse thus with all those who hate the name of Christ, turning aside for a little from the defence primarily set up:--If you think it no dishonour to answer when asked a question, explain to us and say what is the cause, what the…
2,275 wordsSECTION 204[3420] Lit., "most worthy even of weeping and pity."
[3420] Lit., "most worthy even of weeping and pity." [3421] Redarguat. This sense is not recognised by Riddle and White, and would therefore seem to be, if not unique, at least extremely rare. The derivative redargutio, however, is in late Latin used for "demonstration," and this is evidently the meaning here. [3422] Fidem vob…
2,355 wordsSECTION 205[3455] Lit., "with ocular inspection, and held touched."
[3455] Lit., "with ocular inspection, and held touched." [3456] "Fire" is wanting in the ms. [3457] Arnobius here allows himself to be misled by Cicero (Tusc., i. 10), who explains entelecheia as a kind of perpetual motion, evidently confusing it with endelecheia (cf. Donaldson, New Crat., § 339 sqq.), and represents Aristotle…
2,306 wordsSECTION 206[3489] Brunda or Brenda, i.e., Brundisium.
[3489] Brunda or Brenda, i.e., Brundisium. 13. Meantime, however, O you who wonder and are astonished at the doctrines of the learned, and of philosophy, do you not then think it most unjust to scoff, to jeer at us as though we say foolish and senseless things, when you too are found to say either these or just such things whic…
2,382 wordsSECTION 207[3520] There has been much confusion as to the meaning of Arnobius throughout this discussion, which would have been obviated if it had been
[3520] There has been much confusion as to the meaning of Arnobius throughout this discussion, which would have been obviated if it had been remembered that his main purpose in it is to show how unsatisfactory and unstable are the theories of the philosophers, and that he is not therefore to be identified with the views brought …
2,233 wordsSECTION 208[3545] Lit., "sent to."
[3545] Lit., "sent to." [3546] So the ms., reading milvus, for which all edd. (except Oberthuer) since Stewechius read mulus, "a mule." 23. If you give a grape to him when hungry, a must-cake, an onion, a thistle, [3547] a cucumber, a fig, will he know that his hunger can be appeased by all these, or of what kind each should b…
2,397 wordsSECTION 209[3581] The ms. reads ne videamu-s, changed in both Roman edd. into -amur--"that we may not be seen by you (as ignorant), how say you," etc.
[3581] The ms. reads ne videamu-s, changed in both Roman edd. into -amur--"that we may not be seen by you (as ignorant), how say you," etc. Gelenius proposed the reading of the text, audiamus, which has been received by Canterus and Orelli. It is clear from the next words--quemadmodum dicitis--that in this case the verb must be …
2,369 wordsSECTION 210[3625] Lit., "is set before."
[3625] Lit., "is set before." [3626] So the ms., first ed., Gelenius, Canterus, Hildebrand, reading ex commodi sensu, for which all the other edd., following Ursinus and Meursius, read ex communi--"from common sense," i.e., wisely. [3627] Perhaps, as Orelli evidently understands it, "prefer Him to our own souls"--animis præpon…
2,314 wordsSECTION 211[3664] i.e., from one horse to another--desultores.
[3664] i.e., from one horse to another--desultores. [3665] Rationibus et constitutionibus. [3666] Lit., "it should be believed." [3667] Lit., "unless there were joined." [3668] So the ms., reading contentio, which Orelli would understand as meaning "contents," which may be correct. LB. reads conditio--"condition," ineptly; a…
2,345 wordsSECTION 212[3711] The ms. reads, habitare atque habitare juss-e-r-unt. All edd. omit the first two words, the first ed. without further change; but the
[3711] The ms. reads, habitare atque habitare juss-e-r-unt. All edd. omit the first two words, the first ed. without further change; but the active verb is clearly out of place, and therefore all other edd. read jussæ sunt, as above. Oehler, however, from habitare omitted by the others, would emend aditare, "to approach,"--a con…
2,217 wordsSECTION 213[3749] Lit., "a comparison of the worst may effect that we," etc.
[3749] Lit., "a comparison of the worst may effect that we," etc. [3750] So all edd. except Hildebrand, who gives as the reading of the ms., qui-d--"what! do they assert." [3751] Lit., "by the force of," vi,--an emendation of Heraldus for the ms. in. [3752] So most edd., reading pertinacifor the ms. -ium--"by the opposition o…
2,298 wordsSECTION 214[3781] i.e., ills.
[3781] i.e., ills. [3782] Lit., "with all the ages, in steady continuance." [3783] The ms., followed by Oehler alone, reads ducetis--"and you will think;" while all the other edd. read, as above, ducentes. [3784] Here, too, there has been much unnecessary labour. These words--per voluntatem--as they immediately follow sine de…
2,368 wordsSECTION 215[3811] So the ms.; but all edd. except Hild. and Oehler omit nobis.
[3811] So the ms.; but all edd. except Hild. and Oehler omit nobis. [3812] So the ms., reading folgora dilatarit, followed by LB. [3813] Salsa, corrected from the ms. sola. [3814] Alites et volucres; i.e., according to Orelli, the birds from whose flight auguries were drawn, as opposed to the others. [3815] So Heraldus, whos…
2,205 wordsSECTION 216[3850] Lit., "exposes under decision of your own right."
[3850] Lit., "exposes under decision of your own right." [3851] Cf. Plato, Rep., ii. st. p. 379: "of a few things God would be the cause, but of many He would not;" and x. st. p. 617 fin. [3852] So LB., Orelli, Oehler, adopting the emendation of Ursinus, tu te muneris commoditate privaveris, for the unintelligible reading of t…
2,587 wordsSECTION 217[3881] i.e., Pluto.
[3881] i.e., Pluto. [3882] Pl. [3883] Lit., "Castors," i.e., Castor and Pollux. [3884] i.e., sine ullius seminis jactu. [3885] Lit., "forms of bodily circumscription." 71. But our rites are [3886] new; yours are ancient, and of excessive antiquity, we are told. And what help does that give you, or how does it damage our cau…
2,381 wordsSECTION 218Book III.
[3912] Lit., "provide," conficiatis, which, however, some would understand "consume." [3913] Lit., "slaveries, their free births being taken away." [3914] Lit., "and." [3915] So the ms. first five edd., Hild. and Oehler, reading adscribere infortunio voluptatem, which is omitted in the other edd. as a gloss which may have cre…
2,384 wordsSECTION 219[3936] Lit., "take the oaths of allegiance" or military oaths, using a very common metaphor applied to Christians in the preceding book, c.
[3936] Lit., "take the oaths of allegiance" or military oaths, using a very common metaphor applied to Christians in the preceding book, c. 5. [3937] Lit., "suppliant hands." It has been thought that the word supplices is a gloss, and that the idea originally was that of a band of soldiers holding out their hands as they swore …
2,229 wordsSECTION 22014. Are, then, the divine bodies free from these deformities? and since they do not eat the food of men, are we to believe that, like childr
14. Are, then, the divine bodies free from these deformities? and since they do not eat the food of men, are we to believe that, like children, they are toothless, and, having no internal parts, as if they were inflated bladders, are without strength, owing to the hollowness of their swollen bodies? Further, if this is the case,…
2,213 wordsSECTION 221[3981] Mercury, grandson of Atlas by Maia.
[3981] Mercury, grandson of Atlas by Maia. 22. You err, my opponent says, and are deceived; for the gods are not themselves artificers, but suggest these arts to ingenious men, and teach mortals what they should know, that their mode of life may be more civilized. But he who gives any instruction to the ignorant and unwilling, …
2,232 wordsSECTION 222[4001] Stewechius and Orelli would omit rebus, and interpret "about the same gods." Instead of de--"about," the ms. has deos.
[4001] Stewechius and Orelli would omit rebus, and interpret "about the same gods." Instead of de--"about," the ms. has deos. [4002] The ms. reads fonti, corrected by Meursius Fontis, as above. [4003] Lit., "circuit." [4004] Lit., "finished." [4005] i.e., the god. [4006] i.e., time. [4007] Lit., "the measuring of a certain…
2,270 wordsSECTION 223[4037] Lit., "in the middle," "intermediate."
[4037] Lit., "in the middle," "intermediate." [4038] i.e., Ephorus. [4039] i.e., Hesiod. [4040] Lit., "the undertaking of religion itself is brought into the danger," etc. [4041] An Umbrian village. [4042] Lit., "that the number is nine." [i.e., a triad of triads; the base a triad, regarded, even by heathen, as of mystical …
2,106 wordsSECTION 224Book IV.
Book IV. ------------------------ 1. We would ask you, and you above all, O Romans, lords and princes of the world, whether you think that Piety, Concord, Safety, Honour, Virtue, Happiness, and other such names, to which we see you rear [4079] altars and splendid temples, have divine power, and live in heaven? [4080] or, as is…
2,206 wordsSECTION 225[4113] Of this goddess, also, no other author makes mention but the germ may be perhaps found in Lucretius (ii. 1116-7), where nature is ter
[4113] Of this goddess, also, no other author makes mention but the germ may be perhaps found in Lucretius (ii. 1116-7), where nature is termed perfica, i.e., "perfecting," or making all things complete. [The learned translator forgets Tertullian, who introduces us to this name in the work Arnobius imitates throughout. See vol. …
2,265 wordsSECTION 226[4151] Lit., "given to us an abridging," i.e., an opportunity of abridging.
[4151] Lit., "given to us an abridging," i.e., an opportunity of abridging. 14. Your theologians, then, and authors on unknown antiquity, say that in the universe there are three Joves, one of whom has Æther for his father; another, Coelus; the third, Saturn, born and buried [4152] in the island of Crete. They speak of five Sun…
2,225 wordsSECTION 227[4172] So all the edd., though Orelli approves of fictione (edd. -em), which is, he says, the ms. reading, "set forth with wanton fiction."
[4172] So all the edd., though Orelli approves of fictione (edd. -em), which is, he says, the ms. reading, "set forth with wanton fiction." [4173] The ms. and earlier edd., with Hild. and Oehler, read ex hominum de scriptis; LB. and Orelli inserting his after de, as above. [4174] The ms. and both Roman edd. read esse, which is…
2,221 wordsSECTION 228[4208] Cf. iii. [cap. 41, p. 475, and cap. 30, p. 472].
[4208] Cf. iii. [cap. 41, p. 475, and cap. 30, p. 472]. [4209] i.e., hiding-place. Virg., Æn., viii. 322: Quoniam latuisset tutus in oris. [4210] Pyth., iii. 102 sq. [4211] ms. Meglac. [4212] The ms. and most edd. give filias, making the Muses daughters of Macarus; but Orelli, Hild., and Oehler adopt, as above, the reading o…
2,214 wordsSECTION 229[4235] Qui sollicite relegit. Relegit is here used by Arnobius to denote the root of religio, and has therefore some such meaning as that gi
[4235] Qui sollicite relegit. Relegit is here used by Arnobius to denote the root of religio, and has therefore some such meaning as that given above. Cf. Cicero, de Nat. Deorum, ii. 28. 31. We wish, then, to question you, and invite you to answer a short question, Whether you think it a greater offence to sacrifice to them no …
2,330 wordsSECTION 230[4265] Lit., "debauched and scoffers."
[4265] Lit., "debauched and scoffers." [4266] So Orelli, reading et quando; ms. and other edd. et si--"and if ever." [4267] Arnobius is generally thought to refer here to the persecution under Diocletian mentioned by Eusebius, Hist. Eccl., viii. 2. [4268] The service in which these prayers were offered was presided over by th…
845 wordsSECTION 231Book V.
Book V. ------------------------ 1. Admitting that all these things which do the immortal gods dishonour, have been put forth by poets merely in sport, what of those found in grave, serious, and careful histories, and handed down by you in hidden mysteries? have they been invented by the licentious fancy of the poets? Now if t…
2,235 wordsSECTION 2326. Now, when it had been often considered in the councils of the gods, by what means it might be possible either to weaken or to curb his au
6. Now, when it had been often considered in the councils of the gods, by what means it might be possible either to weaken or to curb his audacity, Liber, the rest hanging back, takes upon himself this task. With the strongest wine he drugs a spring much resorted to by Acdestis [4308] where he had been wont to assuage the heat a…
2,325 wordsSECTION 233[4340] Lit., "the feeling commonly implanted."
[4340] Lit., "the feeling commonly implanted." [4341] Lit., "was regard of piety wanting"--defuit, an emendation of Salmasius (according to Orelli) for the ms. depuit. [4342] Lit., "the depth and patience of his sleeping mother." [4343] Lit., "from the theft of taking by surprise"--obreptionis, for which the ms., first four e…
2,331 wordsSECTION 234[4372] So the ms., according to Crusius, the edd. inserting s, di-s-cere--"to learn."
[4372] So the ms., according to Crusius, the edd. inserting s, di-s-cere--"to learn." [4373] Lit., "on firmness of faith." [4374] Lit., "sent to public testifying." 16. And yet how can you assert the falsehood of this story, when the very rites which you celebrate throughout the year testify that you believe these things to b…
2,547 wordsSECTION 235[4408] Lit., "of."
[4408] Lit., "of." [4409] Lit., "that he might be a crop of"--seges, a correction in the margin of Ursinus for the ms. sedes--"a seat." [4410] So all edd., reading scenarum (ms. scr-, but r marked as spurious), except LB, followed by Orelli, who gives sentinarum--"of the dregs." Oehler supplies e, which the sense seems to requ…
2,212 wordsSECTION 236[4449] i.e., Athenians.
[4449] i.e., Athenians. [4450] The ms., 1st ed., Hild., and Oehler read ita--"It is thus not," etc.; the others as above, ista. [4451] Delatione calumniosa. [Conf. vol. ii. p. 175, col. 2.] [4452] Cyceon. [P. 499, supra, and 503, infra.] [4453] The ms. reads exci-ta, corrected as above, ex cista, in the margins of Ursinus. …
2,320 wordsSECTION 237[4482] Subditivis secretis.
[4482] Subditivis secretis. [4483] Both Roman edd. and ms. read dicet--"shall say;" all others as above--dicit. [4484] i.e., Jupiter. [4485] Lit., "in the signification of his daughter." [4486] So the margin of Ursinus--ut reris for the ms. ut ce-reris. 33. These are all quirks, as is evident, and quibbles with which they a…
2,524 wordsSECTION 238[4522] The ms. and edd. read matris deæ--"of the mother goddess;" for which Meursius proposed deûm--"mother of the gods," the usual form of
[4522] The ms. and edd. read matris deæ--"of the mother goddess;" for which Meursius proposed deûm--"mother of the gods," the usual form of the title. Cf. cc. 7 and 16. [See Elucidation V.; also note the reference to St. Augustine.] [4523] The name is wanting in the ms. Cf. c. 28. [4524] No Attic family of this name is mention…
2,015 wordsSECTION 239Book VI.
Book VI. ------------------------ 1. Having shown briefly how impious and infamous are the opinions which you have formed about your gods, we have now to [4559] speak of their temples, their images also, and sacrifices, and of the other things which are [4560] united and closely related to them. For you are here in the habit o…
2,201 wordsSECTION 240[4592] So the margin of Ursinus, Elm., LB., and Orelli, with Meursius, reading audiamini for the ms. audiamur--"we are heard," which does no
[4592] So the margin of Ursinus, Elm., LB., and Orelli, with Meursius, reading audiamini for the ms. audiamur--"we are heard," which does not harmonize with the next clause. [4593] Lit., "for the purpose of coming to know the thing." [4594] Lit., "if there are any others." [4595] So the ms., reading c-ogitare, corrected r---"…
2,339 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.