4. But we do not purpose delaying
further on this part of the subject, lest we seem desirous to stir up
most violent strife, and engage in agitating contests.
Let there be, as you affirm, that crowd of
deities, let there be numberless families of gods; we assent, agree,
and do not examine too closely, nor in any part of the
subject do we assail the doubtful and uncertain positions you
hold. This, however, we demand, and ask you to tell us, whence
you have discovered, or how you have learned, whether there are these
gods,3927
| 3927
According to Orelli’s punctuation, “whether there are these
gods in heaven whom,” etc. |
whom you
believe to be in
heaven and serve, or some others unknown by
reputation
and name? For it may be that beings exist whom you do not believe
to do so; and that those of whose existence you feel assured, are found
nowhere in the universe. For you have at no time been borne aloft
to the
stars of
heaven,
at no time have seen the face and
countenance of
each; and
then established here the
worship of the same gods,
whom you remembered to be there, as having been known and seen
by
you. But this, too, we again would
learn from you, whether
they have received these names by which you call them, or assumed them
themselves on the days of purification.
3928
| 3928
So LB. and later edd., from a conj. of Meursius, reading diebus
lustricis for the ms.
ludibriis; read by some, and understood by others, as
ludicris, i.e., festal days. |
If these are divine and
celestial names, who reported them to you? But if, on the other
hand, these names have been applied to them by you, how could you give
names to those whom you never saw, and whose character or circumstances
you in no wise
3929
| 3929
The ms. followed by Hild. and Oehler,
reads neque…in ulla
cognatione—“in no relationship,” for which the
other edd. give cognitione, as above. |
knew?
E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
