4. When was the human race
destroyed by a flood? was it not before us? When was the world
set on fire,3251
| 3251
Arnobius, no doubt, speaks of the story of Phæthon, as told
by Ovid; on which, cf. Plato, Tim., st. p. 22. |
and reduced to
coals and
ashes? was it not before us? When were the greatest
cities engulphed in the billows of the
sea? was it not before us?
When were
wars waged with
wild beasts, and
battles fought with
lions?
3252
| 3252
Nourry thinks that reference is here made to the contests of
gladiators and athletes with lions and other beasts in the
circus. But it is more likely that the author is thinking of
African tribes who were harassed by lions. Thus Ælian (de
Nat Anim., xvii. 24) tells of a Libyan people, the Nomæi, who
were entirely destroyed by lions. |
was it not
before us? When was
ruin brought on whole communities by
poisonous
serpents?
3253
was it not before us? For,
inasmuch as you are wont to lay to our blame the cause of frequent
wars, the devastation of cities, the irruptions of the Germans and the
Scythians, allow me, with your leave, to say,—In your eagerness
to calumniate us, you do not perceive the real nature of that which is
alleged.
E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
