Octavius; a dialogue [tr. by sir D. Dalrymple]. (Repr.). Tr. by sir D. Dalrymple - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854 edition. Excerpt: ...ceremonies is held abominable impiety. The wife of one husband hangs her garland on some statues, but to do this on others is permitted to her only who is the wife of many; and the woman who can number most adulteries is scrupulously sought after. What! were it not better that he who makes libation of his own blood, and by wounding himself supplicates his deity, should continue profane, than that he should become pious on such terms? and he, whose offering is the dismemberment of his own body, how much does he violate the majesty of his God in thus attempting to appease him? For surely if God had meant that there should be eunuchs, He would have made them such without human interposition. Who is there that does not perceive, that herein persons of distempered, extravagant, and desperate imaginations, judge foolishly; and that those who err, mutually patronise each other by their numbers? Here the multitude of the insane supports the cause of insanity. But it seems that this very superstition bestowed, increased, and deeply rooted that empire which the Romans enjoy, since it was not so much by their valour, as by their piety and religion that they prevailed. No doubt the eminent and notable virtue of the Romans commenced in the very cradle of their newlyborn empire. Were they not at their first rise collected by wickedness? and did they not under the protection of formidable guilt acquire strength? For the people was originally gathered to Rome as to an asylum, and thither there flocked men of desperate fortunes, Hagitious, incestuous, assassins, traitors; and that Romulus himself, their general and ruler, might transcend his people in crimes, he committed fratricide. These were the auspices of the religious state! Presently after they carried...

Die Inhaltsangabe kann sich auf eine andere Ausgabe dieses Titels beziehen.