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THE SEVEN BOOKS OF ARNOBIUS
AGAINST THE HEATHEN
APPENDIX
We do not deny that all these things which have been brought forward by
you in opposition are contained in the writings of the annalists. For we
have ourselves also, according to the measure and capacity of our powers,
read these same things, and know that they have been alleged; but the whole
discussion hinges upon this: whether these are gods who you assert are
furious when displeased, and are soothed by games and sacrifices, or are
something far different, and should be separated from the notion even of
this, and from its power.
For who, in the first place, thinks or believes that those are gods who
are lost in joyful pleasure at theatrical shows(2) and ballets, at horses
running to no purpose; who set out from heaven to behold silly and insipid
acting, and grieve that they are injured, and that the honours due to them
are withheld if the pantomimist halts for a little, or the player, being
wearied, rests a little; who declare that the dancer has displeased them
if some guilty fellow passes through the middle of the circus to suffer
the penalty and punishment of his deeds? All which things, if they be sifted
thoroughly and without any partiality, will be found to be alien not only
to the gods, but to any man of refinement, even if he has not been trained
to the utmost gravity and self-control.(3)
For, in the first place, who is there who would suppose that those had
been, or believe that they are, gods, who have a nature which tends to
mischief and fury, and lay these(2) aside again, being moved by a cup of
blood and fumigation with incense; who spend days of festivity, and find
the liveliest pleasure in theatrical shows(3) and ballets; who set out
from heaven to see geldings running in vain, and without any reason, and
rejoice that some of them pass the rest, that others are passed,(4) rush
on, leaning forward, and, with their heads towards the ground, are overturned
on their backs with the chariots to which they are yoked, are dragged along
crippled, and limp with broken legs; who declare that the dancer has displeased
them if some wicked fellow passes through the middle of the circus to suffer
the punishment and penalty of his deeds; who grieve that they are injured,
and that the honours due to them are withheld if the pantomimist halts
for a little, the player, being wearied, rests a little, that puer matrimus
happens to fall, stumbling through some(5) unsteadiness? Now, if all these
things are considered thoroughly and without any partiality, they are found
to be perfectly(6) alien not only to the character of the gods, but to
that of any man of common sense, even although he has not been trained
to zealous pursuit of truth by becoming acquainted with what is rational?
Back to Volume 6 Index
