40.4963
But neither shall we deny that
we know this as well, that once on a time, when the
state and republic
were in difficulties, caused either by
4964
| 4964
Lit., “which either a…made,” etc. |
a
terrible plague continually
infecting the people and carrying them off, or by
enemies powerful, and
at that time almost threatening to
rob it of its
liberty4965
because of
their success in
battle,—by order and
advice of the seers,
certain gods
4966
were summoned
from among
nations dwelling beyond the
sea, and honoured with
magnificent temples; and that the
violence of the
plague abated, and
very
frequent triumphs were
gained, the
power of the
enemy being
broken, and the territory of the empire was increased, and
provinces
without number fell under your sway. But neither does this
escape
our
knowledge, that we have seen it asserted that, when the Capitol was
struck by a thunderbolt, and many other things in it, the image of
Jupiter also, which stood on a lofty
pillar, was hurled from its
place. Thereafter a response was given by the soothsayers, that
cruel and very
sad mischances were portended from
fire and
slaughter,
from the
destruction of the
laws, and the
overthrow of
justice,
especially, however, from
enemies themselves belonging to the
nation,
and from an impious
band of
conspirators; but that these things could
not be averted, nay, that the accursed designs could not be
revealed,
unless
Jupiter were again set up firmly on a higher
pillar, turned
towards the east, and facing the rays of the
rising sun.
Their words were trustworthy, for, when the
pillar was raised, and the
statue turned towards the sun, the secrets were revealed, and the
offences made known were punished.
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