- ANF06. Fathers of the Third Century: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius the Great, Julius Africanus, Anatolius, and Minor Writers, Methodius, Arnobius

4. Pellonia is a goddess mighty to drive back enemies. Whose enemies, say, if it is convenient? Opposing armies meet, and fighting together, hand to hand, decide the battle; and to one this side, to another that, is hostile. Whom, then, will Pellonia turn to flight, since on both sides there will be fighting? or in favour of whom will she incline, seeing that she should afford to both sides the might and services of her name? But if she indeed⁴⁰⁹⁴

⁴⁰⁹⁴ In the first sentence the ms. reads utrique, and in the second utique, which is reversed in most edd., as above.
did so, that is, if she gave her good-will and favour to both sides, she would destroy the meaning of her name, which was formed with regard to the beating back of one side. But you will perhaps say, She is goddess of the Romans only, and, being on the side of the Quirites alone, is ever ready graciously to help them.⁴⁰⁹⁵

⁴⁰⁹⁵ Lit., “ever at hand with gracious assistances.”
We wish, indeed, that it were so, for we like the name; but it is a very doubtful matter. What! do the Romans have gods to themselves, who do not help⁴⁰⁹⁶

⁴⁰⁹⁶ Lit., “are not of.”
other nations? and how can they be gods, if they do not exercise their divine power impartially towards all nations everywhere? and where, I pray you, was this goddess Pellonia long ago, when the national honour was brought under the yoke at the Caudine Forks? when at the Trasimene lake the streams ran with blood? when the plains of Diomede⁴⁰⁹⁷

⁴⁰⁹⁷ i.e., the field of Cannæ.
were heaped up with dead Romans when a thousand other blows were sustained in countless disastrous battles? Was she snoring and sleeping;⁴⁰⁹⁸

⁴⁰⁹⁸ [1 Kings xviii. 27.]
or, as the base often do, had she deserted to the enemies’ camp?
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