Part 9 (1/2)

his own name: for the sake of which city itself all men still curse his memory, except those who live there in wicked luxury, because by their poverty these have their abundance.

”And since next to him they mention his son *, and how he destroyed the temples, when they who polled them down took no less pains in destroying them, than the builders had done in raising them,---so laborious a work was it to separate the stones cemented by the strongest bands;--since, I say, they mention these things, I will mention somewhat yet more considerable. That he indeed made presents of the temples to those who were about him, just as he might give a horse, or a slave, or a dog, or a golden cup; but they were unhappy presents to both the giver and the receivers of them: for he spent all his life in fear of the Persians, dreading all their motions as children do bugbears. Of whom, some were childless, and died miserably intestate; and others had better never have had children: with such infamy and mutual discord do they live together who descend from them, whilst they dwell among sacred pillars taken from the temples. To whom I think these things are owing, who knowing how to enrich themselves, have taught

* Constantius.

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their children this way to happiness! And at this time their distempers carry some of them to Cilicia, needing the help of aesculapius. But instead of obtaining relief, they meet with affronts only for the injury done to the place. How can such return without cursing the author of these evils? But let the conduct of this Emperor be such as to deserve praises living and dead; such as we know he* was who succeeded him; who had overturned the Persian empire if treachery had not prevented it.

Nevertheless he was great in his death, for he was killed by treachery, as Achilles also was; and is applauded for that, as well as for what he did before his death. This has he from the G.o.ds, to whom he restored their rites, and honours, and temples, and altars, and blood: from whom having heard, that he should humble the pride of Persia, and then die,'

he purchased the glory of his life, taking many cities, subduing a large tract of land, teaching his pursuers to fly; and was about to receive, as all know, an emba.s.sy which would have brought the submission of the enemy. Wherefore he was pleased with his wound, and looking upon it rejoiced, and without any tears rebuked those who wept, for not thinking that a wound was better to him than any old age. So that the emba.s.sies sent after his death were all

* Julian.

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his right. And the reason why the Achemenidae* for the future made use of entreaties instead of arms, was that the fear of him still possessed their minds. Such an one was he who restored to us the temples of the G.o.ds, who did things too good to be forgotten, himself above all oblivion.

”But I thought that he** who reigned lately would pull down and burn the temples of those who were of the opposite sentiment, as he knew how to despise the G.o.ds. But he was better than expectation, sparing the temples of the enemies, and not disdaining to run some hazards for preserving those of his own dominions, which had long since been erected with much labour and at vast expense. For if cities are to be preserved every where, and some cities outs.h.i.+ne others by means of their temples, and these are their chief ornaments, next to the Emperor's palaces,--how is it that no care must be taken of these, nor any endeavours used to preserve them in the body of the cities?

”But it is said: 'There will be other edifices, though there should be no temples.' But I think tribute to be of importance to the treasury.

Let

* Another name for the Persians.

** Valens.

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these stand then, and be taxed. Do we think it a cruel thing to cut off a man's hand, and a small matter to pluck out the eyes of cities? And do we not lament the ruins made by earthquakes? and when there are no earthquakes, nor other accidents, shall we ourselves do what they are wont to effect? Are not the temples the possession of the Emperors as well as other things? Is it the part of wise men to sink their own goods? Does not every one suppose him to be distracted, who throws his purse into the sea? Or if the master of the s.h.i.+p was to cut those ropes which are of use to the s.h.i.+p; or if any one should order a mariner to throw away his oar,--would you think it an absurdity? and yet think it proper for a magistrate to deprive a city of such a part of it? What reason is there for destroying that, the use of which may be changed?

Would it not be shameful for an army to fight against its own walls? and for a general to excite them against what they have raised with great labour; the finis.h.i.+ng of which was a festival for those who then reigned? Let no man think, Emperor, that this is a charge brought against you. For there lies in ruins, in the Persian borders, a temple*, to which there is none like, as may be learned from those who saw it, so magnificent the stone work, and in

* Probably the temple at Odessa.

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compa.s.s equal to the city. Therefore in time of war the citizens thought their enemies would gain nothing by taking the town, since they could not take that likewise, as the strength of its fortifications bid defiance to all their attacks. At length, however, it was attacked, and with a fury equal to the greatest enemies, animated by the hopes of the richest plunder. I have heard it disputed,by some, in which state it was the greatest wonder; whether now that it is no more, or when it had suffered nothing of this kind, like the temple of Serapis. But that temple, so magnificent and so large, not to mention the wonderful structure of the roof, and the many bra.s.s statues, now hid in darkness out of the light of the sun, is quite perished; a lamentation to them who have seen it, a pleasure to them who never saw it. For the eyes and ears are not alike affected with these things. Or rather to those who have not seen it, it is both sorrow and pleasure: the one because of its fall, the other because their eyes never saw it. Nevertheless, if it be rightly considered, this work is not yours, but the work of a man *

who has deceived you; a profane wretch, an enemy of the G.o.ds, base, covetous, ungrateful to the earth that received him when born, advanced without merit, and abusing his greatness, when advanced;

* Probably Cynegius, the Emperor's lieutenant.

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a slave to his wife, gratifying her in any thing, and esteeming her all things, in perfect subjection to them* who direct these things, whose only virtue lies in wearing the habit of mourners; but especially to those of them who also weave coa.r.s.e garments. This workhouse** deluded, imposed upon him, and misled him; [and it is said that many G.o.ds have been deceived by G.o.ds;] for they gave out, 'that the priests sacrificed, and so near them that the smoke reached their noses:' and after the manner of some simple people, they enlarge and heighten matters, and vaunt themselves as if they thought nothing was above their power. By such fiction, and contrivance, and artful stories, proper to excite displeasure, they persuaded the mildest father [of his people] among the Emperors***. For these were really his virtues, humanity, tenderness, compa.s.sion, mildness, equity, who had rather save than destroy. But there were those who gave lister counsel; that if such a thing had been done, the attempt should be punished, and care taken to prevent the like for time to come. Yet he who thought he ought to have a Cadmean victory, carried on his conquest. But after he had taken his own pleasures, he should have provided for his

* The monks.

**The monastery.

*** Probably Valens.