Against Symmachus 2.571–4.481

Summary: Only a few senators cling to paganism; the common people throng to Peter’s tomb on the Vatican and to the Lateran for baptism, so Rome is Christ’s; the pagan minority, however distinguished, does not speak for the city or the senate.

• The Vatican tomb of Peter and the Lateran baptistery (chrism). The scan inserts after line 599 two lines from Juvenal, Sat. 8.19–20 (“Tota licet veteres exornent undique cerae / atria, nobilitas sola est atque unica virtus”), a footnote, not Prudentius; they were removed (here and at the start of the next passage). Stray line numbers and a footnote mark were removed.

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Ingenia, obtritos aegre retinentia cultus, Et quibus exactas placeat servare tenebras, Splendentemque die medio non cernere solem. Post liinc ad populum converte oculos , quota pars est, Quae lovis infectam sanie non despuat aram ? Omnis qui celsa scandit coenacula vulgus, Quique terit silicem variis discursibus atram, Et quem panis alit gradibus dispensus ab altis, Aut Vaticano tumulum sub monte frequentat, Quo cinis ille latet genitoris amabilis obses; Coetibus aut magnis Lateranas currit ad aedes, Vnde sacrum referat regali chrismate signum. Et duWtamns adlmc, Romam tibi, Christe, dicatani Iii leges transisse tnas? omnique volentera [590 Cnm populo et suininis cum civibus, ardua magni lam super astra poli terrenum extendere regnum? Nec moveor, quod pars liominum rarissima clausos Non aperit sublime oculos, et gressibus errat. Quamlibet inlustres meritis, et sanguine clari, Praemia virtutum titulis et bonoribus aucti Ardua retulerint, fastorumque arce potiti Annales proprio signarint nomine cliartas, Atque inter veteres cera numerentur et aere (o j : Attamen in paucis, iam deficiente caterva, Nec persona sita est patriae, nec curia constat : Et quodcumque fovet studii privata voluntas, Ac iam rara tenet: sed publica vota reclamant, Dissensu celebri trepidum damnantia murmur. Sic consulta patrum subsistere conscriptorum , « Tota licet veteres exornent undique cerao → Ingenia, obtritos aegre retinentia cultus, Et quibus exactas placeat servare tenebras, Splendentemque die medio non cernere solem. Post hinc ad populum converte oculos: quota pars est, Quae Iovis infectam sanie non despuat aram? Omnis qui celsa scandit cenacula vulgus, Quique terit silicem variis discursibus atram, Et quem panis alit gradibus dispensus ab altis, Aut Vaticano tumulum sub monte frequentat, Quo cinis ille latet genitoris amabilis obses; Coetibus aut magnis Lateranas currit ad aedes, Unde sacrum referat regali chrismate signum. Et dubitamus adhuc, Romam tibi, Christe, dicatam In leges transisse tuas? omnique volentem Cum populo et summis cum civibus, ardua magni Iam super astra poli terrenum extendere regnum? Nec moveor, quod pars hominum rarissima clausos Non aperit sublime oculos, et gressibus errat. Quamlibet inlustres meritis, et sanguine clari, Praemia virtutum titulis et honoribus aucti Ardua rettulerint, fastorumque arce potiti Annales proprio signarint nomine chartas, Atque inter veteres cera numerentur et aere: Attamen in paucis, iam deficiente caterva, Nec persona sita est patriae, nec curia constat: Et quodcumque fovet studii privata voluntas, Ac iam rara tenet: sed publica vota reclamant, Dissensu celebri trepidum damnantia murmur. Sic consulta patrum subsistere conscriptorum,.

Topics: Baptism

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 2.571 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 571–600; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/2-571). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/2-571

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: By the ancestral rule of the majority, the senate has freely voted to banish the idols; Theodosius compels no one and even gives pagans high offices, having made Symmachus himself consul, though he alone pleads for the restoration of the pagan gods.

• The second line of the Juvenal footnote (see the previous passage) and a stray line number were removed. Symmachus was consul in 391.

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Atria, nobilitas sola est atque unica virtus. » Noii alitor licitum prisco sub terapore, quam si Ter centum sensisse senes legerentur in unum; Servemus leges patrias: iufirma minoris Yox cedat numeri, parvaque in parte silescat. Adspice, quam pleno subsellia nostra senatu Decernant infame lovis pulvinar, et orane Idolium, longe purgata ex urbe fugandum : Qua vocat egregii sententia principis, illuc Libera tum pedibus, tmn corde frequentia transit. Nec locus invidiae est, nullum vis aspera terret, Ante oculos sic vellc patet: cuuctique probatum, Non iussum, sola capti ratione sequuntur. [615 Uenique pro meritis terrestribus acqua rependens Munera sacricolis summos irapertit honores Dux bonus. et certare sinit cum laude suorum; Nec pago implicitos per debita culmina mundi Ire viros prohibet: quoniam caelestia nninquain Terrenis solitum per iter gradientibus obstant. Ipse magistratum tibi consulis, ipse tribunal Contuiit. auratumque togae donavit amictum. Caius religio tibi displicet, o pereuntum Adsertor divum, solus qui restituendos Vulcani Martisque dolos Venerisque peroras, Saturnique senis lapides, Phoebique furores : Iliacae matris jMegalesia, Bacchica Nysi, Isidis amissum semper plangentis Osirim Mimica, ridendaque suis solemnia calvis, Et ((uascumque solent Capitolia claudere, larvas. 0 linguam miro verborum fonte ttuentem, → Non aliter licitum prisco sub tempore, quam si Ter centum sensisse senes legerentur in unum; Servemus leges patrias: infirma minoris Vox cedat numeri, parvaque in parte silescat. Adspice, quam pleno subsellia nostra senatu Decernant infame Iovis pulvinar, et omne Idolium, longe purgata ex urbe fugandum: Qua vocat egregii sententia principis, illuc Libera tum pedibus, tum corde frequentia transit. Nec locus invidiae est, nullum vis aspera terret, Ante oculos sic velle patet: cunctique probatum, Non iussum, sola capti ratione sequuntur. Denique pro meritis terrestribus aequa rependens Munera sacricolis summos impertit honores Dux bonus, et certare sinit cum laude suorum; Nec pago implicitos per debita culmina mundi Ire viros prohibet: quoniam caelestia numquam Terrenis solitum per iter gradientibus obstant. Ipse magistratum tibi consulis, ipse tribunal Contulit, auratumque togae donavit amictum, Cuius religio tibi displicet, o pereuntum Adsertor divum, solus qui restituendos Vulcani Martisque dolos Venerisque peroras, Saturnique senis lapides, Phoebique furores: Iliacae matris Megalesia, Bacchica Nysi, Isidis amissum semper plangentis Osirim Mimica, ridendaque suis sollemnia calvis, Et quascumque solent Capitolia claudere, larvas. O linguam miro verborum fonte fluentem,.

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 2.601 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 601–630; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/2-601). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: The poet praises Symmachus’s eloquence, which would be worthy of gold had he praised God, disclaims any rivalry in talent, but claims the right to defend the Faith against his attack, and ends the first book.

• Tullius is Cicero. End of Book 1.

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Romani decus eloquii, cui cedat et ipse Tullius, has fiindit dives facundia gemmas! Os dignum, aeterno tinctum quod fiilgeat auro, Si mallet laudare Deum, cui sordida monstra Praetulit, et liquidam temoravit crimine vocem. Haud aliter, qiiam si rastris quis teutet eburnis Coenosum versare solum, limoque madentes Excolere aureolis si forte ligonibus ulvas, Splendorem dentis nitidi scrobis inquinat atra, Et pretiosa acies squalenti sordet in arvo. Non vercor, ne me nimium confidere quisquam Arguat, ing-eniique putet luctamen inire. Sum memor ipse mei, satis et mea frivola novi: Non ausim conferre pedom, nec spicula tantae Indocilis fandi coniecta lacessere linguae. Inlaesus maneat liber, excellensque volumen Obtineat partam dicendi fulmine famam. Sed liceat tectum servare a vulnere pectus, Oppositaque volans iaculum depellere parma. Nam, si nostra Fides, saeclo iam tuta quieto, Viribus iufestis liostilique arte petita est, Cur milii fas non sit, lateris sinuamine iiexi Ludere ventosas iactu pereunte sagittas? Sed iam tempus, iter longi cohibere libelli, Ne tractum sine fine ferat fastidia cai'men. → Romani decus eloquii, cui cedat et ipse Tullius, has fundit dives facundia gemmas! Os dignum, aeterno tinctum quod fulgeat auro, Si mallet laudare Deum, cui sordida monstra Praetulit, et liquidam temeravit crimine vocem. Haud aliter, quam si rastris quis temptet eburnis Caenosum versare solum, limoque madentes Excolere aureolis si forte ligonibus ulvas, Splendorem dentis nitidi scrobis inquinat atra, Et pretiosa acies squalenti sordet in arvo. Non vereor, ne me nimium confidere quisquam Arguat, ingeniique putet luctamen inire. Sum memor ipse mei, satis et mea frivola novi: Non ausim conferre pedem, nec spicula tantae Indocilis fandi coniecta lacessere linguae. Inlaesus maneat liber, excellensque volumen Obtineat partam dicendi fulmine famam. Sed liceat tectum servare a vulnere pectus, Oppositaque volans iaculum depellere parma. Nam, si nostra Fides, saeclo iam tuta quieto, Viribus infestis hostilique arte petita est, Cur mihi fas non sit, lateris sinuamine flexi Ludere ventosas iactu pereunte sagittas? Sed iam tempus, iter longi cohibere libelli, Ne tractum sine fine ferat fastidia carmen..

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 2.631 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 631–655; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/2-631). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/2-631

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: The preface to Book 2 tells how the disciples’ boat was caught in a storm at night and Christ came to them walking on the sea; Peter alone recognized him and asked for help, and Christ bade him come down onto the water.

• Preface (lyric) to Book 2. Matt 14:22–29; Mark 6:45–51. A line seems lost in the scan after line 9 (the storm striking the boat); marked “…”.

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Simon, quem vocitant Petrum, Summus discipulus Dei, Lucis forte sub exitu, Quum vesper croceus rubet, Curvam vulserat ancoram, Captaiis flamina linteis, Et transnare volens fretum, Nox ventum movet obvium, Fundo qui mare misceat, Clamor nauticus aetera Plangens atque ululans ferit, Cum stridore rudentium: I^ec quidquam suberat spei, Mergendis prope naufragis; Quum Christum procul adspicit Pallens turba periculis, Calcantem pedibus mare, Ac si per solidam viam Siccum litus obambulet. Haec miracula ceteri Vectores pavidi stupent. Solus non trepidus Petrus Agnoscit Dominum poli, Terraeque, et maris invii: Cuius omnipotentiae est Plantis aequora subdere. Tendit suppliciter manus, ISTotum subsidium rogat. Ast ille i)lacide adnuens, Puppi ut desiliat iubet. → Simon, quem vocitant Petrum, Summus discipulus Dei, Lucis forte sub exitu, Cum vesper croceus rubet, Curvam vulserat ancoram, Captans flamina linteis, Et tranare volens fretum. Nox ventum movet obvium, Fundo qui mare misceat, Clamor nauticus aethera Plangens atque ululans ferit, Cum stridore rudentium: Nec quidquam suberat spei, Mergendis prope naufragis; Cum Christum procul adspicit Pallens turba periculis, Calcantem pedibus mare, Ac si per solidam viam Siccum litus obambulet. Haec miracula ceteri Vectores pavidi stupent. Solus non trepidus Petrus Agnoscit Dominum poli, Terraeque, et maris invii: Cuius omnipotentiae est Plantis aequora subdere. Tendit suppliciter manus, Notum subsidium rogat. Ast ille placide adnuens, Puppi ut desiliat iubet..

Topics: Christology

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 3.1 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 1–30; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/3-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: Peter began to sink and Christ rebuked his weak faith and lifted him up; so the poet, a sinner launching out against the eloquent Symmachus, asks Christ to hold out his hand so that he may stand on the waves.

• Matt 14:30–31. Footnote marks and stray line numbers were removed. The extracted preface has 63 lines against 66 printed; lines seem lost in the scan before the first line here (Peter obeyed) and before the last (marked “…”).

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Sed vestigia fluctibus Summis tingniere coeperat, Et lapsante gradu pedes Pessum mergere lubricos. Mortalem Deus increpat, Quod sit non stabili fide, Nec calcare fluentia, Nec Cbristum valeat sequi. Tum dextra famulum levat. Sisfcitque, et docet iiigredi Tergiim per tumidum freti. Sic me, tuta .sileiitia (Ij Egressum, dubiis loquax Infert lingua periculis : Xon ut discipulum Petrum Fidentem et merito et fide ; Sed quem culpa frequens leveni Yolvat per freta naufragum. oO Sum plane tfmerarius, Qqi iioctis mihi conscius, Quam vitae in tenebris ago, Puppem credere fluctibus Tanti non timeam viri; Quo nunc nemo disertior Exultat, fremit, intonat, Ventisque eloquii tumet : Cui mersare facillimum est Tractandae indocilem ratis : no Xi tu, Christe potens, manum Dextro numine porrigas, Facundi oris ut impetus Non me fluctibus obruat : Insistam fluitantibus. → Sed vestigia fluctibus Summis tinguere coeperat, Et lapsante gradu pedes Pessum mergere lubricos. Mortalem Deus increpat, Quod sit non stabili fide, Nec calcare fluentia, Nec Christum valeat sequi. Tum dextra famulum levat, Sistitque, et docet ingredi Tergum per tumidum freti. Sic me, tuta silentia Egressum, dubiis loquax Infert lingua periculis: Non ut discipulum Petrum Fidentem et merito et fide; Sed quem culpa frequens levem Volvat per freta naufragum. Sum plane temerarius, Qui noctis mihi conscius, Quam vitae in tenebris ago, Puppem credere fluctibus Tanti non timeam viri; Quo nunc nemo disertior Exultat, fremit, intonat, Ventisque eloquii tumet: Cui mersare facillimum est Tractandae indocilem ratis: Ni tu, Christe potens, manum Dextro numine porrigas, Facundi oris ut impetus Non me fluctibus obruat: Insistam fluitantibus..

Topics: Prayer

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 3.31 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 31–63; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/3-31). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: The second book answers Symmachus point by point: he urges the young emperors to keep the altar of Victory for success in war; they answer that victory comes from labor, courage and strength, not from a golden statue.

• Book 2. The poet sets the debate before Arcadius and Honorius, sons of Theodosius, though Symmachus’s plea (Relatio 3, 384) was made to Valentinian II. Symmachus’s argument is reported as Prudentius states it (cf. Relatio 3.3).

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Hacteims et veterum cunabula priraa deorum, Et caussas, quibus error hebes conflatus in orbe est, Diximus, et nostro Romam iam credere Clmsto ; Nunc obiecta legam, inmc dictis dicta refellam. Vnde igitur coepisse ferunt, aut ex quibus orsnm, Quo mage sancta Ducum corda illice flecteret arti' ? Armorum dominos, vernantes flore iuventae, Inter castra patris genitos, sub imagine avita Eductos, exempla domi congesta calentes, Orator catus instigat, ceu classica belli Clangeret, exacuitque animos, et talia iactat: Si vobis vel parta, viri, Victoria cordi est, Vel parienda dehinc ; templum dea virgo sacratum Obtineat, vobis regnantibus. Ecquis amicus Hostibus, hanc vestro sancte negat esse colendam Imperio, cui semper adest, quod hiudibus implety Haec ubi legatus, rcdduut placidissima fratiuni Ora ducum: «Scimus, quam sit Victoria dulcis Fortibus, Ausoiiiae vir facundissime liuguae. Sed quibus illa modis, qua sit ratione vocanda Novimus : hac primum pueros pater imbuit aiie : Hanc genitoro suo didicit puer ipse magistro. Non aris, non farre molae Victoria felix Exorata venit: labor impiger, aspera virtus, Vis animi, excellens ardor, violentia, cura, Hanc tribuunt, diirum tractandis robur in armis. Quae si defuerint bellantibus, aurea quamvis Marmoreo in templo rutilas Victoria pinnas Kxplicet, et multis surgat formata talentis ; Xon aderit, versisque otfensa videbitur hastis. → Hactenus et veterum cunabula prima deorum, Et causas, quibus error hebes conflatus in orbe est, Diximus, et nostro Romam iam credere Christo; Nunc obiecta legam, nunc dictis dicta refellam. Unde igitur coepisse ferunt, aut ex quibus orsum, Quo mage sancta ducum corda inlice flecteret arte? Armorum dominos, vernantes flore iuventae, Inter castra patris genitos, sub imagine avita Eductos, exempla domi congesta calentes, Orator catus instigat, ceu classica belli Clangeret, exacuitque animos, et talia iactat: « Si vobis vel parta, viri, Victoria cordi est, Vel parienda dehinc, templum dea virgo sacratum Obtineat, vobis regnantibus. Ecquis amicus Hostibus, hanc vestro sancte negat esse colendam Imperio, cui semper adest, quod laudibus implet? » Haec ubi legatus, reddunt placidissima fratrum Ora ducum: « Scimus, quam sit Victoria dulcis Fortibus, Ausoniae vir facundissime linguae. Sed quibus illa modis, qua sit ratione vocanda Novimus: hac primum pueros pater imbuit arte: Hanc genitore suo didicit puer ipse magistro. Non aris, non farre molae Victoria felix Exorata venit: labor impiger, aspera virtus, Vis animi, excellens ardor, violentia, cura, Hanc tribuunt, durum tractandis robur in armis. Quae si defuerint bellantibus, aurea quamvis Marmoreo in templo rutilas Victoria pinnas Explicet, et multis surgat formata talentis, Non aderit, versisque offensa videbitur hastis..

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 4.1 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 1–30; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-1). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: Victory is no winged girl, but each man’s own right hand and almighty God; painters and poets together invented the gods, as the rites of Attis and of Diana’s grove, drawn from myths like that of Hippolytus, show.

• Lines seem lost in the scan after line 35 (“and almighty God; …”) and after line 38 (the object of “counterfeit”); marked “…”. A footnote line was removed and two lines run together in the scan (“Camenas, / Idola”) were separated. Attis; Hippolytus (Virbius) and the grove of Aricia. Homer and Apelles as makers of the gods’ images.

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Qui<], miles, propriis diffisus viribus, aptas Irrita foemineae tibiinet solatia formae? Numquam pennigeram legio ferrata puellam Vidit, anhelantum regeret quae tela virorum. Vincendiquaeris dominam? suacuique dextra est, Nec nudo suspensa pede, strophioque recincta. Nec tiimiclas fluitante sinii vestita papillas. Aut vos pictorum docuit manus, adsimulatis Aut lepida ex vestro sumsit pictura sacello, Quod variis imitata notis, ceraque liquenti Duceret in faciem, sociique poematis arte Aucta, coloratis auderet ludere fucis. Sic unum sectantur iter, sic cassa figuris Somnia concipiunt et Homerus et acer Apelles, Et Numa; cognatumque malum pigmenta, Ca- Idola conflavit fallendi trina potestas. [menas, Haec si non ita sunt, edatur, cur sacra vobis Ex tabulis cerisque poetica fabulapraestat? Cur Berecynthiacus perdit truncata sacerdos Inguina, quum pulchrum jioesis castraverit Attin? « Cavchivs, auctoritate IVetus veteium iiumraorum, in quibus Cur etiam templo Triviae, lucisque sacratis Cornipedes arcentur equi, quum Musa pudicum Eaptarit iuvenem volucri per litora curru, Idque etiam paries tibi versicolorus adumbret? Desine, si pudor est, gentilis ineptia, tandem Kes incorporeas simulatis fingere membris : Desine, terga hominis plumis obducere: frustra Fertur avis mulier, magnusque eadem dea vultur. Vis decorare tuum, ditissima Roma, senatum? → Quid, miles, propriis diffisus viribus, aptas Irrita femineae tibimet solacia formae? Numquam pennigeram legio ferrata puellam Vidit, anhelantum regeret quae tela virorum. Vincendi quaeris dominam? sua cuique dextra est, Nec nudo suspensa pede, strophioque recincta, Nec tumidas fluitante sinu vestita papillas. Aut vos pictorum docuit manus, adsimulatis Aut lepida ex vestro sumpsit pictura sacello, Quod variis imitata notis, ceraque liquenti Duceret in faciem, sociique poematis arte Aucta, coloratis auderet ludere fucis. Sic unum sectantur iter, sic cassa figuris Somnia concipiunt et Homerus et acer Apelles, Et Numa; cognatumque malum pigmenta, Camenas, Idola conflavit fallendi trina potestas. Haec si non ita sunt, edatur, cur sacra vobis Ex tabulis cerisque poetica fabula praestat? Cur Berecynthiacus perdit truncata sacerdos Inguina, cum pulchrum poesis castraverit Attin? Cur etiam templo Triviae, lucisque sacratis Cornipedes arcentur equi, cum Musa pudicum Raptarit iuvenem volucri per litora curru, Idque etiam paries tibi versicolorus adumbret? Desine, si pudor est, gentilis ineptia, tandem Res incorporeas simulatis fingere membris: Desine terga hominis plumis obducere: frustra Fertur avis mulier, magnusque eadem dea vultur. Vis decorare tuum, ditissima Roma, senatum?.

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 4.31 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 31–60; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-31). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: The emperors bid Rome hang up spoils rather than idols, for her victory is kept in heaven; Symmachus argues from ancestral custom, the genius of each city, the prosperity the gods brought, and Rome’s own plea that each people may approach the hidden God by its own road.

• Symmachus’s arguments paraphrase his Relatio 3.8–10 (“uno itinere non potest perveniri ad tam grande secretum”); proposed extrabiblical id: symmachus-relatio (Symmachus, Relatio 3).

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Suspende exuvias armis et sanguine captas, Congere caesorum victrix diademata regum, Frange repulsorum foeda ornamenta deorum : Nunc tibi non terris tantum victoria parta, Sed super astra etiam mcdia servabitur aode. Talia principibus dicta interfantibus, ille Persequitur, magnisque tubam concentibus inflat: Adlegat morem veterem: nil dulcius esse Adfirmat solitis ; populosque hominesque teneri Lege sua. Sicut variae nascentibus, inquit, Contingunt pueris animae : sic urbibus adfert Hora diesque suum, quum primum moenia surgunt, Aut fatum, aut genium, cuius moderamine regnent. Addit et arcanura remm, verique latebras Prosperitate aliqua deprendi posse, secundi Per documenta boni, si sint felicia, quae quis Experiendo probet, cessisse parentibus omne Idoliiim semper feliciter, et pede dextro. Enumerat longi vim temporis: excitat ipsam Crinibus albentem niveis, et fronte vietam, Ore reposcentem querulo sua numina. Eomam. Libera sum, liceat proprio mihi vivere more. Et quis erit, qui mille meos reprehenderit annos ? Vno omnes sub sole siti, vegetamur eodem Aere, communis cunctis viventibus aura. Sed, qui sit, qualisque Deus, diversa secuti Quaerimus, atque viis longe distantibus unum Imus ad occultum. Suus est mos cuique genti; Per quod iter properans eat ad tam grande profundum ». His tam magnificis, tantaque flaentibus arte, → Suspende exuvias armis et sanguine captas, Congere caesorum victrix diademata regum, Frange repulsorum foeda ornamenta deorum: Nunc tibi non terris tantum victoria parta, Sed super astra etiam media servabitur aede. » — Talia principibus dicta interfantibus, ille Persequitur, magnisque tubam concentibus inflat: Adlegat morem veterem: nil dulcius esse Adfirmat solitis; populosque hominesque teneri Lege sua. « Sicut variae nascentibus, inquit, Contingunt pueris animae: sic urbibus adfert Hora diesque suum, cum primum moenia surgunt, Aut fatum, aut genium, cuius moderamine regnent. » Addit et arcanum rerum, verique latebras Prosperitate aliqua deprendi posse, secundi Per documenta boni, si sint felicia, quae quis Experiendo probet; cessisse parentibus omne Idolium semper feliciter, et pede dextro. Enumerat longi vim temporis: excitat ipsam Crinibus albentem niveis, et fronte vietam, Ore reposcentem querulo sua numina, Romam: « Libera sum, liceat proprio mihi vivere more. Et quis erit, qui mille meos reprehenderit annos? Uno omnes sub sole siti, vegetamur eodem Aere, communis cunctis viventibus aura. Sed, qui sit, qualisque Deus, diversa secuti Quaerimus, atque viis longe distantibus unum Imus ad occultum. Suus est mos cuique genti; Per quod iter properans eat ad tam grande profundum. » His tam magnificis, tantaque fluentibus arte,.

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 4.61 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 61–90; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-61). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: Faith answers Symmachus: human reason cannot fathom God, but Faith believes in the Almighty who promises eternal goods, since the eternal God must give eternal gifts, not perishable ones.

• Line 120 is read “mereamur” (scan “moreamur”) and line 99 “lassescere” (scan “lacessere”) by sense. Stray line numbers were removed and a word divided across lines in the scan (“umquam”) was restored.

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Respondit vel sola Fides, doctissima primum Pandere vestibulum verae ad penetralia sectac Nam quum divinis agimus de rebus, et illum, Qui vel principio caruit, vel fine carebit, !)o Quique chao anterior fuerit, mundumque crearit. Goniectare animo contendimus, exigua est vis Quippe minor imtura, aciem si intendere tentet Acrius, ac penetrare Dei secreta supremi. Qnis dabitet, victo fragilem lacessere visu, Vimque fatigatae mentis sub pectore parvo Turbari, iuvalidisque liebetem succuinbere curis? Sed facilis Fidei via provocat, omnipotentcm Crcdere, qui bona non tantum praesentia donat, Sed ventura etiam, long-isque intermina saOclis Promittit ; ne totus eam resolutus inane In nihilum, pereamquo brevem post luminis usum. Muneris auctores ipso de munere pendas. Aeterna aeternus tribuit, mortalia confert Mortalis: divina Deus, poritura caducus. Omnia, quae tempus i>ei-agit, quaeque exitus aufert, Vilia sunt brevitate sui, nec digna perenni Largitore, cui propria est opulentia, numquam Dosinere, idque homini dare, quod non desinat um- Xam si corruptum, corruinpondumve Deus quid Prestat, habetque niliil, quod sit pretiosius istis:- Pauper, et intirmus, ot summo indignus lionore, Et non omnipotons, sed inanis numinis umbra est. Hac ratione Fides sapienter coniicit, immo Xon dubitat, verum esse Deum, qui, quod sunms, et quod Vivimus, inhiesum seniper fore, si moreamur, → Respondit vel sola Fides, doctissima primum Pandere vestibulum verae ad penetralia sectae. Nam cum divinis agimus de rebus, et illum, Qui vel principio caruit, vel fine carebit, Quique chao anterior fuerit, mundumque crearit, Coniectare animo contendimus, exigua est vis Quippe minor natura, aciem si intendere temptet Acrius, ac penetrare Dei secreta supremi. Quis dubitet, victo fragilem lassescere visu, Vimque fatigatae mentis sub pectore parvo Turbari, invalidisque hebetem succumbere curis? Sed facilis Fidei via provocat, omnipotentem Credere, qui bona non tantum praesentia donat, Sed ventura etiam, longisque intermina saeclis Promittit; ne totus eam resolutus inane In nihilum, pereamque brevem post luminis usum. Muneris auctorem ipso de munere pendas. Aeterna aeternus tribuit, mortalia confert Mortalis: divina Deus, peritura caducus. Omnia, quae tempus peragit, quaeque exitus aufert, Vilia sunt brevitate sui, nec digna perenni Largitore, cui propria est opulentia, numquam Desinere, idque homini dare, quod non desinat umquam. Nam si corruptum, corrumpendumve Deus quid Praestat, habetque nihil, quod sit pretiosius istis, Pauper, et infirmus, et summo indignus honore, Et non omnipotens, sed inanis numinis umbra est. Hac ratione Fides sapienter conicit, immo Non dubitat, verum esse Deum, qui, quod sumus, et quod Vivimus, inlaesum semper fore, si mereamur,.

Topics: Eschatology

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 4.91 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 91–120; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-91). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: God speaks: those who would reach heaven must set aside earthly cares, for everything perishable is nothing; he made the world’s goods to be used with restraint and set this life as a contest to test the soul, which must overcome pleasure and greed.

• Isa 55:9; Col 3:1–2; 1 Cor 9:24–25. Line 145 (“Elaquenda”, so in the scan) is doubtful; translated by sense.

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Xos sperare iubet. Caelestia si placet, inquit, Scandere, terrenas animo depellite curas. Nam quantum subiecta situ tellus iacet infra, Dividiturqae ab hutno convexi regia caeli, Tantum vestra meis distant mundana futuris, Dira bonis, scelerata piis, tenebrosa serenis. Quidquid obire potest, fugiatis censeo : quidquid Naturae ratione capit vitium, atque senescit, Pro nihilo, in nihilum, quia sunt reditura, putetis. Cuncta equidem, quae gignit humus, quae continet, ipsa Principio institui, nitidoque insignia mundo Ornamenta dedi, spediosaque semina finxi. Sed tamen esse modum volui, parcisque fruenda Moribus indulsi, quantum moril)undus et aeger Corporis ac vitae volucris sibi posceret usus : Non ut captus homo studiis, et inaniter ardens, Duceret omne bonum positum in dulcedine rerum, Et specie tenui, quas currere tempore iussi, Atque aevum statui, sub quo generosa probarem Pectora, ne toi'pens et non exercita virtus, Robur enervatum gereret sine laude palestrae. Inlecebrosus enim sapor est et pestifer horum ; Quae, dum praetereunt, miro oblectamine mentes Implicitas, vinctasque tenent. Vicenda voluptas, Elaquenda animi constantia : ne retinaclis Mollibus ac lentis nexa et captiva prematur. Luctandum summis conatibus : inter acerba Sectandum virtutis iter, no suavia fluxae Conditionis amet : nimium ne congerat aurum. Xec varios lapidum cupide spectare colorcs → Nos sperare iubet. « Caelestia si placet, inquit, Scandere, terrenas animo depellite curas. Nam quantum subiecta situ tellus iacet infra, Dividiturque ab humo convexi regia caeli, Tantum vestra meis distant mundana futuris, Dira bonis, scelerata piis, tenebrosa serenis. Quidquid obire potest, fugiatis censeo: quidquid Naturae ratione capit vitium, atque senescit, Pro nihilo, in nihilum quia sunt reditura, putetis. Cuncta equidem, quae gignit humus, quae continet, ipse Principio institui, nitidoque insignia mundo Ornamenta dedi, speciosaque semina finxi. Sed tamen esse modum volui, parcisque fruenda Moribus indulsi, quantum moribundus et aeger Corporis ac vitae volucris sibi posceret usus: Non ut captus homo studiis, et inaniter ardens, Duceret omne bonum positum in dulcedine rerum, Et specie tenui, quas currere tempore iussi, Atque aevum statui, sub quo generosa probarem Pectora, ne torpens et non exercita virtus, Robur enervatum gereret sine laude palaestrae. Inlecebrosus enim sapor est et pestifer horum; Quae, dum praetereunt, miro oblectamine mentes Implicitas, vinctasque tenent. Vincenda voluptas, Elaquenda animi constantia: ne retinaclis Mollibus ac lentis nexa et captiva prematur. Luctandum summis conatibus: inter acerba Sectandum virtutis iter, ne suavia fluxae Condicionis amet: nimium ne congerat aurum, Nec varios lapidum cupide spectare colores.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 4.121 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 121–150; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-121). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: Since God promises eternal goods, no wise man prefers brief pleasures; what separates man from beast is hope beyond sight, and if there were no life after death, nothing would restrain a man from adultery, fraud and murder, since human law can be evaded.

• 1 Cor 15:32; Rom 8:24–25 (hope for what is not seen). The scan drops the last words of line 164; “ego contra” is restored by sense (the line is short). Line 158 is read “fruenda” (scan “traenda”) and line 177 “crimen” (scan “crinem”).

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Arabitiosa velit, nec se popularibus auris Ostentet, pulchroque inflata tumescat lionorc : Xe natale solum, patrii ne iugera ruris Tendat, et externos animum diftundat in agros : Et ne corporeis addicat sensibus omne Quod vult, aut quod agit: ne praeferat utile iusto, Speuujue in me omnem statuat; numquam peritura Quae dedero, longoque die mea dona traenda. Haec igitur si)ondente Deo, quis fortis et acer, Yirtutisque capax, breve quidque pereiniibus in sc Praetulerit? vel quis sapiens potiora putarit Gaudia membrorum, quam vivae praemia mentis? ISTonne hominem ac pecudem distantia separatuna, Quod bona quadrupedum ante oculos sita sunt? Spero, quodextra aciem longum servatur in aevura. Nam, si tota milii cum corpore vita peribit, Nec poterit superesse meum post funera quidquam, Quis mihi regnator caeli? quis conditor orbis? Quis Deus? aut quae iam merito metuenda potestas? Ibo per impuros, fervente libidine, luxus : Incestabo toros, sacrum calcabo pudorem: Infitiabor, habens aliquod sine teste propinqui Depositum : tenues avidus spoliabo clientes, Longaevam perimam magico cantamine matrem. Tardat anus dominutn dilata morte secundum : Nec formido mahim: falluntur pubHca iura. Lex armata sedet, sed nescit crinem opertum : Aut, si res pateat, iudex corrumpitur auro. Eara reos iusta percellit poena securi. Sed quid ego haec meditor? revocat Deus ecce severa → Ambitiosa velit, nec se popularibus auris Ostentet, pulchroque inflata tumescat honore: Ne natale solum, patrii ne iugera ruris Tendat, et externos animum diffundat in agros: Et ne corporeis addicat sensibus omne Quod vult, aut quod agit: ne praeferat utile iusto, Spemque in me omnem statuat; numquam peritura Quae dedero, longoque die mea dona fruenda. » Haec igitur spondente Deo, quis fortis et acer, Virtutisque capax, breve quidque perennibus in se Praetulerit? vel quis sapiens potiora putarit Gaudia membrorum, quam vivae praemia mentis? Nonne hominem ac pecudem distantia separat una, Quod bona quadrupedum ante oculos sita sunt? ego contra Spero, quod extra aciem longum servatur in aevum. Nam, si tota mihi cum corpore vita peribit, Nec poterit superesse meum post funera quidquam, Quis mihi regnator caeli? quis conditor orbis? Quis Deus? aut quae iam merito metuenda potestas? Ibo per impuros, fervente libidine, luxus: Incestabo toros, sacrum calcabo pudorem: Infitiabor, habens aliquod sine teste propinqui Depositum: tenues avidus spoliabo clientes, Longaevam perimam magico cantamine matrem. Tardat anus dominum dilata morte secundum: Nec formido malum: falluntur publica iura. Lex armata sedet, sed nescit crimen opertum: Aut, si res pateat, iudex corrumpitur auro. Rara reos iusta percellit poena securi. Sed quid ego haec meditor? revocat Deus ecce severa.

Topics: Eschatology, Ethics

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 4.151 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 151–180; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-151). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: God declares that the soul will not die but will be punished or rewarded, and that he will raise the body too, as seeds rise from the earth after dying, so that body and soul together receive their deserts for ever.

• 1 Cor 15:35–44; John 12:24 (the seed); 2 Cor 4:16 (the inner man); Matt 25:46. Eternal punishment as the poet states it. A line seems lost after line 200; marked “…”.

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Maiestate minax, negat interitura meorum Per mortem momenta operum : ISTon occidet, inquit, Interior qui spirat homo: luet ille perenne Supplicium, quod subiectos male rexerit artus. Nec mihi difficile est, liquidam circumdare flammis Naturam, quamvis perflabilis illa feratur More Noti: capiam tamen, et tormenta adhibebo IpsG incorporeus, ac spirituum sator unus. Quin et corporibus parilis consortia poenae Decernara, possum quoniam ronovare favillas Antiquam in faciem. Nec desperanda potestas : Qui potui formare novum, reparabo peremtum. Xon desunt exempla meae virtutis in ipsis Seminibus. Natura docet revirescere cuncta Post obitum: siccantur enim pereunte vigore Quo vixere prius; tunc sicca et mortua sulcis Aut foveis mandata latent, et more sepulcri Obruta, de tumulis redivivo germine surgunt. Numquid nosse potes, vel coniectare, quis istud? Tam sollers opifex struat? aut quae vis agat intus ? En, ego gignendi Dominus, ac restituendi, Quod periit fluxitque, potens : arentia quaeque In veteres formas aut flore, aut fronde reduco. Idque ipsum quandoque bomini facturus, inani Surgat ut ex cinero, structuraque pristina constet, Quae mihi pro meritis, vel per tormenta rependat Crimina, vel snmmae virtutis in arce coruscet, Non peritura deliinc quacumque in sorte manebit. Interea, dum mixta viget substantia in unum, Sit memor auctoris proprii, veneretur et oret → Maiestate minax, negat interitura meorum Per mortem momenta operum: « Non occidet, inquit, Interior qui spirat homo: luet ille perenne Supplicium, quod subiectos male rexerit artus. Nec mihi difficile est, liquidam circumdare flammis Naturam, quamvis perflabilis illa feratur More Noti: capiam tamen, et tormenta adhibebo Ipse incorporeus, ac spirituum sator unus. Quin et corporibus parilis consortia poenae Decernam, possum quoniam renovare favillas Antiquam in faciem. Nec desperanda potestas: Qui potui formare novum, reparabo peremptum. Non desunt exempla meae virtutis in ipsis Seminibus. Natura docet revirescere cuncta Post obitum: siccantur enim pereunte vigore Quo vixere prius; tunc sicca et mortua sulcis Aut foveis mandata latent, et more sepulcri Obruta, de tumulis redivivo germine surgunt. Numquid nosse potes, vel coniectare, quis istud Tam sollers opifex struat? aut quae vis agat intus? En, ego gignendi Dominus, ac restituendi, Quod periit fluxitque, potens: arentia quaeque In veteres formas aut flore, aut fronde reduco. Idque ipsum quandoque homini facturus, inani Surgat ut ex cinere, structuraque pristina constet, Quae mihi pro meritis, vel per tormenta rependat Crimina, vel summae virtutis in arce coruscet, Non peritura dehinc quacumque in sorte manebit. Interea, dum mixta viget substantia in unum, Sit memor auctoris proprii, veneretur et oret.

Topics: Eschatology

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 4.181 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 181–210; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-181). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: God continues: one God made soul and body and gives every good of life, crops, wine, oil and childbirth; the union of the sexes for offspring is his law, which the pagans defile under the name of Venus; he needs no lesser gods, being simple and indivisible.

• A footnote line was removed, and two words divided across lines in the scan (“gaudet”) were restored. The law of marriage and offspring (Gen 1:28) as the poet states it. God as simple substance as written.

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Artificem submissa suum. Non condidit alter Halantis animae figmentum, et corporis alter : " iiiiseri. Nec bona praesentis vitae nnmerosa gubernant Nuinina ; non alius segetes et spicea farra Suppeditat Deus : aut alius dat musta racemis, Purpureumque gravi fundit de palmite succum. Ipse ego sum, virides oleas pinguescere baccis Qui facio, Graia quas Pallade fingitis ortas, Et qui Lucinas tribuo nascentibus horas. Duplex lege mea per rautua foedera sexus [det; Gignere amat sobolem, generisque propagine gau- Quem vos lascivis violatis amoribus ignem, Et stupra vestra deae Veneris praetexitis umbra. Vnus ego elementa rego, nec mole laboris, Vt miser infirmusve aliquis fragilisve, fatigor. Lux immensa mihi est, et non resolubilis aetas, Sensibus et vestris haud intellecta A'etustas. Tnde ministeriis ad tot moderamina mundi Non egeo, nec participes sociosve requiro. Porro autem angelicas legiones, qua mea fecit Doxtera, nosse meum est, et quae natura creatis Sabsistat, qualesque mihi serventur ad usus. Tu, me praeterito, meditaris numina mille, Quae simules parere meis virtutibus, ut me Per varias partes minuas : cui nulla recidi Pars aut forma potest : quia sum substantia simplex, Nec pars esse queo. Solis divisio rebus Compositis factisque subest : me nemo creavit, Vt scindi valoam ; cunctorum conditor unus. → Artificem submissa suum. Non condidit alter Halantis animae figmentum, et corporis alter: Nec bona praesentis vitae numerosa gubernant Numina; non alius segetes et spicea farra Suppeditat Deus: aut alius dat musta racemis, Purpureumque gravi fundit de palmite sucum. Ipse ego sum, virides oleas pinguescere bacis Qui facio, Graia quas Pallade fingitis ortas, Et qui Lucinas tribuo nascentibus horas. Duplex lege mea per mutua foedera sexus Gignere amat sobolem, generisque propagine gaudet; Quem vos lascivis violatis amoribus ignem, Et stupra vestra deae Veneris praetexitis umbra. Unus ego elementa rego, nec mole laboris, Ut miser infirmusve aliquis fragilisve, fatigor. Lux immensa mihi est, et non resolubilis aetas, Sensibus et vestris haud intellecta vetustas. Inde ministeriis ad tot moderamina mundi Non egeo, nec participes sociosve requiro. Porro autem angelicas legiones, quas mea fecit Dextera, nosse meum est, et quae natura creatis Subsistat, qualesque mihi serventur ad usus. Tu, me praeterito, meditaris numina mille, Quae simules parere meis virtutibus, ut me Per varias partes minuas: cui nulla recidi Pars aut forma potest: quia sum substantia simplex, Nec pars esse queo. Solis divisio rebus Compositis factisque subest: me nemo creavit, Ut scindi valeam; cunctorum conditor unus..

Topics: Marriage, Trinity

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 4.211 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 211–240; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-211). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: God asks for a temple not of marble but of the mind, built on faith, piety and chastity; he made man upright to look to heaven, but man turned to earth, and God’s own Spirit descended to restore him; the poet asks Symmachus whether he prefers custom to these precepts.

• 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19; Gen 1:27; 2:7; Eccl 7:29; John 1:14. The descent of God’s Spirit into the flesh refers to the incarnation, as written; a line seems lost after line 263 (marked “…”). Line 241 is read “Crede” (scan “Credo”); line 244 “Synnas” is restored from a word divided across lines in the scan.

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Credo, quod ox iiilulo fonnavi, pars mea iion est. Qiiaro ago, mortalis, soli mihi construe tonipliuii, Ktquae saxa Paros secat, et quao Punica rujtps, Quae viridis Lacodaomon habet, maculosaque Syii- Nativuin nemo scopuli mihi dodicot ostrum: [nas. 'JViiiplum mfiitis amo, non marmoris, auroa iii illo Fundamonta manent fidei: structura nivali Consurgit pietate nitons : togit ardua culmen Flore pudicitiae pudor ahnus, et atria servat : Haec domus apta inilii ost : liaoc me pulchorrima sodos Accipit, aotorno caelostiquo liospito digiia. Nec novus hic locus est: tiuxit mea gloria in artus, Et lux vera Dei. Dous inlustravit aluinnam Materiom, corpusquo parons lialjitabilo fecit Ipse sibi, placido ut possit roquioscere templo. Condiderain perfectuin liomiiiem : spectare superna .Mandaram : totis conversum sensibus in me Jfecto habitu, colsoque situ, ct subiime tuentem : Sed despexit liumuin, seque inclinavit ad orbis Divitias, populitquo meum do pectoro nnmon. Restituendus erat mihiinet, submissus in illum Spiritus ipse meus descendit, et edita limo Viscera divinis virtutibus informavit, Transtulit, ac nostro docuit recalescere cultu. Scire velim, praecepta Patris quibus auribus haec tu Accipias, Italae censor doctissime gentis. An veterem tantum morem ratione relicta Eligis? et dici patitur sapientis acumen, Ingeniumque viri? potior mihi pristinus est mos, Quam via iustitiae, pietas quam prodita caelo, → Crede, quod ex nihilo formavi, pars mea non est. Quare age, mortalis, soli mihi construe templum, Et quae saxa Paros secat, et quae Punica rupes, Quae viridis Lacedaemon habet, maculosaque Synnas, Nativum nemo scopuli mihi dedicet ostrum. Templum mentis amo, non marmoris; aurea in illo Fundamenta manent fidei: structura nivali Consurgit pietate nitens: tegit ardua culmen Flore pudicitiae pudor almus, et atria servat. Haec domus apta mihi est: haec me pulcherrima sedes Accipit, aeterno caelestique hospite digna. Nec novus hic locus est: fluxit mea gloria in artus, Et lux vera Dei. Deus inlustravit alumnam Materiem, corpusque parens habitabile fecit Ipse sibi, placido ut possit requiescere templo. Condideram perfectum hominem: spectare superna Mandaram: totis conversum sensibus in me Recto habitu, celsoque situ, et sublime tuentem: Sed despexit humum, seque inclinavit ad orbis Divitias, pepulitque meum de pectore numen. Restituendus erat mihimet, submissus in illum Spiritus ipse meus descendit, et edita limo Viscera divinis virtutibus informavit, Transtulit, ac nostro docuit recalescere cultu. » — Scire velim, praecepta Patris quibus auribus haec tu Accipias, Italae censor doctissime gentis. An veterem tantum morem ratione relicta Eligis? et dici patitur sapientis acumen, Ingeniumque viri: « Potior mihi pristinus est mos, Quam via iustitiae, pietas quam prodita caelo,.

Topics: Christology, Ethics

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 4.241 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 241–270; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-241). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: If ancient custom must be kept, then mankind should go back to acorns, caves and skins, and to throwing old men from bridges and sacrificing infants; Rome herself has changed her rites, dress, laws and arms.

• The custom of throwing old men from the bridge (“sexagenarios de ponte”) and child sacrifice to Saturn are cited as the poet’s examples of abandoned customs. Symmachus’s argument from custom is answered as written.

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Quamque lides veri, rectae quam regula sectae. Si, quidquid rudibus mundi nascentis in annis Mos, habuit, sancte colere ac servare necesse est; Omne revolvamus sua per vestigia saeclum Ysque ad principium : placeat damnare gradatim Quidquid posterius successor reperit usus. Orbe novo, nulli subigebant arva coloni. Quid sibi aratra volunt ? quid cura superflua rasti-i? Ilignis melius saturatur glandibus alvus. Primi homines cuneis scindebant fissile ligiuun: Decoquat in massam fervens strictura secures Rursus, et ad proprium restillet vena metalluui. Induvias caesae pecudes, et frigida parvas Praebebat spelunca domos : redeamus ad antra . Pellibus insutis hirtos sumamus amictus. Immanes quondam populi, feritate subacta Edomiti, iam triste fremant, iterumque ferinos In mores redeant, atque ad sua prisca recurrant. Praecipitet Scytliica iuvenis pietate vietum Votivo de ponte patrem : sic mos fuit olim. Caedibus iufantum fument Saturnia sacra, Flebilibusque truces resonent vagitibus arae. Ipsa casas fragili texat gens Eomula culmo : Sic tradunt habitasse Eemum, regalia feno Fulcra supersternant, autpelle Lybistidis ursae Compositam cblamydem villoso corpore gestent : Talia Trinacrius ductor, vel Tuscus habebant. Koma antiqua sibi non constat, versa per aevura, Et mutata sacris, ornatu, legibus, armis : ^Lulta colit, quae non coluit sub rege Quirno: → Quamque fides veri, rectae quam regula sectae? Si, quidquid rudibus mundi nascentis in annis Mos habuit, sancte colere ac servare necesse est; Omne revolvamus sua per vestigia saeclum Usque ad principium: placeat damnare gradatim Quidquid posterius successor repperit usus. Orbe novo, nulli subigebant arva coloni. Quid sibi aratra volunt? quid cura superflua rastri? Ilignis melius saturatur glandibus alvus. Primi homines cuneis scindebant fissile lignum: Decoquat in massam fervens strictura secures Rursus, et ad proprium restillet vena metallum. Induvias caesae pecudes, et frigida parvas Praebebat spelunca domos: redeamus ad antra, Pellibus insutis hirtos sumamus amictus. Immanes quondam populi, feritate subacta Edomiti, iam triste fremant, iterumque ferinos In mores redeant, atque ad sua prisca recurrant. Praecipitet Scythica iuvenis pietate vietum Votivo de ponte patrem: sic mos fuit olim. Caedibus infantum fument Saturnia sacra, Flebilibusque truces resonent vagitibus arae. Ipsa casas fragili texat gens Romula culmo: Sic tradunt habitasse Remum; regalia faeno Fulcra supersternant, aut pelle Libystidis ursae Compositam chlamydem villoso corpore gestent: Talia Trinacrius ductor, vel Tuscus habebant. Roma antiqua sibi non constat, versa per aevum, Et mutata sacris, ornatu, legibus, armis: Multa colit, quae non coluit sub rege Quirino:.

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 4.271 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 271–300; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-271). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: Rome has often changed her laws, and progress is natural: as a man passes from infancy to mature age, the human race has grown from a beastlike beginning to the age when it can at last understand divine things and seek salvation.

• Two lines added after line 328 in the scan (a variant passage, “Primitias, mersumque solo titubavit …”) belong to an editor’s note, as the note itself says (the best manuscripts lack them); they were removed with the note.

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Instituit quaedam melius, nonimlla refugit. Et morem variare suum non destitit : et quae, Pridem condiderat iura, in contraria vertit. Quid mihi tu ritus solitos, Eomane senator, Objectas ? quum scita patrum populique frequenter In tabulis placiti sententia flexa novarit? Xunc etiam, quoties solitis decedere prodest, Praeteritosque habitus cultu damnare recenti, Gaudemus compertnin aliquid, tandemque retectum , Quod latuit : tardis semper processibus aucta Crescit vita hominis, et longo proficit usu. Sic aevi mortalis hal^et se mobilis ordo : Sic variat natura vices; infantia repit, Infirmus titubat pueri gressusque animusque, Sanguine praecalido fervet nervosa iuventa : Mox stabilita venit maturi roboris aetas, Vltima consiliis melior, sed viribus aegra, Corpore succumbit, mentem purgata senectus. His genus humanum per dissona tempora duxit Curriculis aevum mutabile : sic hebes inter Primitias, mersumque solo, ceu quadrupes, egit. Mox tenerum docili ingenio, iamque artibus aptnm Noscendis, varia rernm novitate politum est. Inde tumens vitiis calidos adolevit in annos, Donec decocto solidaret robore vires. Tempus adest, ut iam sapiat divina, serenae Mentis consilio, vivacius abdita sollers Quaerere, et aeternae tandem invigilare saluti. Primitias, mersumque so'o titubavit, et instar Quadrupedes pueri laetantia viscera traxit. → Instituit quaedam melius, nonnulla refugit, Et morem variare suum non destitit: et quae Pridem condiderat iura, in contraria vertit. Quid mihi tu ritus solitos, Romane senator, Obiectas, cum scita patrum populique frequenter In tabulis placiti sententia flexa novarit? Nunc etiam, quotiens solitis decedere prodest, Praeteritosque habitus cultu damnare recenti, Gaudemus compertum aliquid, tandemque retectum, Quod latuit: tardis semper processibus aucta Crescit vita hominis, et longo proficit usu. Sic aevi mortalis habet se mobilis ordo: Sic variat natura vices; infantia repit, Infirmus titubat pueri gressusque animusque, Sanguine praecalido fervet nervosa iuventa: Mox stabilita venit maturi roboris aetas, Ultima consiliis melior, sed viribus aegra, Corpore succumbit, mentem purgata senectus. His genus humanum per dissona tempora duxit Curriculis aevum mutabile: sic hebes inter Primitias, mersumque solo, ceu quadrupes, egit. Mox tenerum docili ingenio, iamque artibus aptum Noscendis, varia rerum novitate politum est. Inde tumens vitiis calidos adolevit in annos, Donec decocto solidaret robore vires. Tempus adest, ut iam sapiat divina, serenae Mentis consilio, vivacius abdita sollers Quaerere, et aeternae tandem invigilare saluti..

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 4.301 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 301–330; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-301). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: If ancient custom is the rule, the first nation on earth worshipped the one God, from whom our line descends; and early Rome had few gods, but later she brought home the captured gods of conquered cities, gods that had not even protected their own shrines.

• The first nation that served God: the patriarchs (Gen 4:26; 5). An editor’s note (two lines) at the start and a footnote on Hammon (two lines) were removed. Lines seem lost in the scan after line 333 and after line 346 (an image taken from Corinth); marked “…”. Anubis (dog-headed) and Jupiter Ammon (horned).

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Probatissimus quisque ex nostris codd. nihil tale habcnt ; et Heinsivs kaec resecanda, ut superflua, docet. Quamqiiam, si tantus amor ost ct cuni vctusti Moris, ot a prisco placet haud discedere ritu, Exstat in antiquis exemplum nobile libris, Inservisse Deo gentem, quae prima recentes Incoluit terras, vacuoque liabitavit in orbe. Vnde genus ducit nostrae porrecta propag-o Stirpis, et indigenae pietatis iura roformat. Sed quia Eomanis loquiunir de cultibns, ipsum Sanguinis Hectorei populum probo, tomporelongo Xon multos coluisse deos, rarisquo sacellis Oontentum, paucas posuisse in collibus aras. Innumoros post deinde deos, virtute subactis Vrbibus. ot claris peperit sil>i Roma triumpliis, Intor fumantes templorum armata ruinas Dextera victoris simulacra liostilia copit, Etcaptiva domum, vonerans ceunumina, voxit. Illud ab incensis in praedam sumsit Athenis. Quasdam victa dedit capitis Cleopatra canini Effigies, qnasdam domitis Ilammonis arenis. Cj) Jlainmonis, vel Ainmonis lovis. Ilammon fuit luppitcr Lybicus, cuius caput cornibus instructum fuit. Syrtica cornutas facies liabuero tropaea. Roma triumphantis quotios ducis inclita currum Plausibus excepit, toties altaria diviim Addidit, et spoliis sibimet nova numina fecit : Numina, quae patriis cum moenibus eruta, nu]luni Praesidium potuere suis adferre sacellis. Cernis, ut antiqui semper vestigia moris → Quamquam, si tantus amor est et cura vetusti Moris, et a prisco placet haud discedere ritu, Exstat in antiquis exemplum nobile libris, Inservisse Deo gentem, quae prima recentes Incoluit terras, vacuoque habitavit in orbe. Unde genus ducit nostrae porrecta propago Stirpis, et indigenae pietatis iura reformat. Sed quia Romanis loquimur de cultibus, ipsum Sanguinis Hectorei populum probo, tempore longo Non multos coluisse deos, rarisque sacellis Contentum, paucas posuisse in collibus aras. Innumeros post deinde deos, virtute subactis Urbibus, et claris peperit sibi Roma triumphis. Inter fumantes templorum armata ruinas Dextera victoris simulacra hostilia cepit, Et captiva domum, venerans ceu numina, vexit. Illud ab incensis in praedam sumpsit Athenis. Quasdam victa dedit capitis Cleopatra canini Effigies, quasdam domitis Hammonis harenis Syrtica cornutas facies habuere tropaea. Roma triumphantis quotiens ducis inclita currum Plausibus excepit, totiens altaria divum Addidit, et spoliis sibimet nova numina fecit: Numina, quae patriis cum moenibus eruta, nullum Praesidium potuere suis adferre sacellis. Cernis, ut antiqui semper vestigia moris.

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 4.331 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 331–360; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-331). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: Rome’s worship is itself a mixture of foreign gods, so it is not ancestral custom; Symmachus says every city has a fate or Genius as each person has a soul, but the poet knows how the soul animates and governs the body, and asks when this Genius ever entered Rome.

• Symmachus, Relatio 3.8 (“varios custodes urbibus cultus mens divina distribuit … ita mens divina fatales genios”). A line seems lost in the scan before line 373; marked “…”. Line 367 is read “improbe” (scan “improba”).

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Gressibus incertis varie titubasse j^robentur, Adsciscendo deos maioribus incompertos, Seque peregrina sub relligione dicasse, Nec ritus servasso suos '? quodcumqe sacrorum est, Exsulat, externumquc inimicam venit in nrbem. Frustra igitur solitis, prava observatio, inhaeres. Non est mos patrius, quem diligis, improba non est. Sed sollers orator ait : Fataliter Vrbem Sortitam, quonam Genio proprium exigat aevum. Cunctis nam populis seu moenibus inditur, inquit, Autfatum, aut Genius, nostrarum more animaruni , Quae sub dispai'ili subeunt nova corpora sorte. Competat, ignoro : quid possit, et uiide oriatur Spiritus informis, sine corpore, formave, an ulla Sit species, et quid sapiat, quae raunera curet: Contra, animas hominum venis vitalibus intus Sic iuterfusas intelligo, sanguis ut ex liis Accipiat motumque levem, tenernmque vaporem. Frigida succendat, riget arida, dura relaxet. Sic hominis vitam sibi temperat atqne gubernat Yivida meiis, quam tu ficto componere tentas Murorum Genio, qui nusquam est, nec fuit umquam . Quin et corporibus versat mens viva regendis Summum consilium, fida ut tutacula nudis Invalidisque paret, metueiida pericula vitet : Vtile prospiciat, varias agitetur ad artes ; Consultet, cui se domino snbmittat, et orbis Quem putet auctorem, quem i-erum summa sequatur. At tuus hic urbis Genius, dicas volo, quando Coepit adhuc parvae primum se infundere Romae, → Gressibus incertis varie titubasse probentur, Adsciscendo deos maioribus incompertos, Seque peregrina sub relligione dicasse, Nec ritus servasse suos? quodcumque sacrorum est, Exsulat, externumque inimicam venit in urbem. Frustra igitur solitis, prava observatio, inhaeres. Non est mos patrius, quem diligis, improbe, non est. Sed sollers orator ait: Fataliter Urbem Sortitam, quonam Genio proprium exigat aevum. Cunctis nam populis seu moenibus inditur, inquit, Aut fatum, aut Genius, nostrarum more animarum, Quae sub dispari subeunt nova corpora sorte. Competat, ignoro: quid possit, et unde oriatur Spiritus informis, sine corpore, formave, an ulla Sit species, et quid sapiat, quae munera curet: Contra, animas hominum venis vitalibus intus Sic interfusas intellego, sanguis ut ex his Accipiat motumque levem, tenerumque vaporem, Frigida succendat, riget arida, dura relaxet. Sic hominis vitam sibi temperat atque gubernat Vivida mens, quam tu ficto componere temptas Murorum Genio, qui nusquam est, nec fuit umquam. Quin et corporibus versat mens viva regendis Summum consilium, fida ut tutacula nudis Invalidisque paret, metuenda pericula vitet: Utile prospiciat, varias agitetur ad artes; Consultet, cui se domino submittat, et orbis Quem putet auctorem, quem rerum summa sequatur. At tuus hic urbis Genius, dicas volo, quando Coepit adhuc parvae primum se infundere Romae?.

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 4.361 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 361–390; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-361). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: The poet mocks the idea of Rome’s Genius, born with Romulus or appearing with the augural vultures; if such a soul governed Rome, it would be free to change its religion, as it changed its form of government for seven hundred years, from kings to consuls, tribunes and decemvirs.

• Romulus and Remus nursed by the wolf; the augury of the vultures. A line seems lost in the scan before line 412 (the kings); marked “…”. Line 391 is read “Fluxit” (scan “Fhuit”) and line 394 “nube” (scan “nulte”).

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Fhuit ab uberibus nemorosa in valle lupinis. Infantesque aluit, dum nascitur ipse, gemellosV An cum vulturibus volitans ignota per auras Vmbra, repentinam traxit de nulte figuram? Culminibiis suminis sedet, an penetralia servaf? Instituit mores, et iura forensia conclit? An castrorum etiam fossis intervenit? acres Cogit ad arnia viros, lituis ciet, urget in liostem? Quae quis non videat sapientum digna cacliinno? Fingamus tamen esse alifjuam, quae talia curet, Vmbram sive animam, per quam respublica fatum Hauserit, et calidis animetur tota medullis. Cur non haec eadem de relligione colenda Consultat ? cur non suspectat libera caelum ? Cur sibi praescriptum non commutabile fatum, Vt captiva, putat ? genesis cur vincula fingit? Cur iam nolle licet, quod tunc voluisse licebat, Erroresque abolere suos, ac flectere sensus? Sic soptingentis erravit circiter ainiis, Lubricaque et semper dubitans, quae forina placeret Imperii, quae regnancfi foret aequa potestas. Non sine grandaevis curarum in parte locatis. Mox proceres de stirpe senum tractasse videuuis Clavum consilii : plebeias inde catervas Collatas patribus mixtim ditionibus aequis, Imperitasse diu, belloque et pace regendis. Consule nobilitas viguit : plebs fisa tribuno est. Displicet liic subito status, et bis quina creantur Summorum procerum fastigia, quos duodeni Circumstant fascos : simul et sua quemque securis. → Fluxit ab uberibus nemorosa in valle lupinis, Infantesque aluit, dum nascitur ipse, gemellos? An cum vulturibus volitans ignota per auras Umbra, repentinam traxit de nube figuram? Culminibus summis sedet, an penetralia servat? Instituit mores, et iura forensia condit? An castrorum etiam fossis intervenit? acres Cogit ad arma viros, lituis ciet, urget in hostem? Quae quis non videat sapientum digna cachinno? Fingamus tamen esse aliquam, quae talia curet, Umbram sive animam, per quam res publica fatum Hauserit, et calidis animetur tota medullis. Cur non haec eadem de relligione colenda Consultat? cur non suspectat libera caelum? Cur sibi praescriptum non commutabile fatum, Ut captiva, putat? genesis cur vincula fingit? Cur iam nolle licet, quod tunc voluisse licebat, Erroresque abolere suos, ac flectere sensus? Sic septingentis erravit circiter annis, Lubricaque et semper dubitans, quae forma placeret Imperii, quae regnandi foret aequa potestas. Non sine grandaevis curarum in parte locatis. Mox proceres de stirpe senum tractasse videmus Clavum consilii: plebeias inde catervas Collatas patribus mixtim ditionibus aequis, Imperitasse diu, belloque et pace regendis. Consule nobilitas viguit: plebs fisa tribuno est. Displicet hic subito status, et bis quina creantur Summorum procerum fastigia, quos duodeni Circumstant fasces: simul et sua quemque securis..

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 4.391 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 391–420; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-391). (abbreviation not yet checked)

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: After changing between consuls and triumvirs Rome finally settled under the emperor; if she could change her government until she found the right one, she can also accept the divine law now revealed, and she has, for Rome, meaning her people, is subject to Christ; the pagans assign Genii and fates even to gates and walls.

• Lines seem lost in the scan after line 436 (Rome “serves God”) and after line 440 (“to assign their own Genii, and through all the members”); marked “…”. Line 432 is read “aegre” (scan “aegro”) and line 437 “mentem” (scan “montem”). Astrological fatalism as the poet attacks it.

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Rursus se geminis reddit ductoribus omnis Publica res, et consulibus dat condere fastos. Ultima sanguinous turbavit saecla triumvir. Fluctibus liis olim fatum, Geniusve, animusve Publicus erravit : tandom deprondere rectum Doctus iter, caput augustum diademate cinxit, Appellans patrem patriae, populi atque senatus Kectorem, qui militiae sit ductor, et idem Dictator, censorque bonus, morumque magister, Tutor opum, vindex scelerum, largitor honorum. Quod si tot rerum gradibus toties variatis Consiliis, aegro tandom pervenit ad illud Quod probet, ac sancto reverentia publica servet Foedere: quid dubitat divina agnoscere iura, Ignorata prius sibimet, tandomque retecta? Gratemur, iam non dubitat ; nam subdita Christo Komam dico viros, quos montem credimus urbis, Xon Genium, cuius frustra simulatur imago. Quamquam cur Gonium liomao mihi fingitis unum? Quum portis, domibus, thermis, stabulis soleatis Vrbis, perque locos, (joniorum millia multa Fingere, ne propria vacet anguhis ulhis ab umbra? Eestat, ut et fatum similis dementia cunctis Aedibus imponat, paries ut quisque sub astro Fundatus structusque suo, qua sorte maneret: Quando autem rueret, primis acceperit horis. Adscribunt saxis, Lacbesis luale fortia fila, Tectorumque trabes fusis pendere rotatis Credunt, atque ipsis tribuunt decreta tigillis: Ceu distet, cuius stellae sit fraxinus ortu → Rursus se geminis reddit ductoribus omnis Publica res, et consulibus dat condere fastos. Ultima sanguineus turbavit saecla triumvir. Fluctibus his olim fatum, Geniusve, animusve Publicus erravit: tandem deprendere rectum Doctus iter, caput augustum diademate cinxit, Appellans patrem patriae, populi atque senatus Rectorem, qui militiae sit ductor, et idem Dictator, censorque bonus, morumque magister, Tutor opum, vindex scelerum, largitor honorum. Quod si tot rerum gradibus totiens variatis Consiliis, aegre tandem pervenit ad illud Quod probet, ac sancto reverentia publica servet Foedere: quid dubitat divina agnoscere iura, Ignorata prius sibimet, tandemque retecta? Gratemur, iam non dubitat; nam subdita Christo Romam dico viros, quos mentem credimus urbis, Non Genium, cuius frustra simulatur imago. Quamquam cur Genium Romae mihi fingitis unum? Cum portis, domibus, thermis, stabulis soleatis Urbis, perque locos, Geniorum milia multa Fingere, ne propria vacet angulus ullus ab umbra? Restat, ut et fatum similis dementia cunctis Aedibus imponat, paries ut quisque sub astro Fundatus structusque suo, qua sorte maneret: Quando autem rueret, primis acceperit horis. Adscribunt saxis Lachesis male fortia fila, Tectorumque trabes fusis pendere rotatis Credunt, atque ipsis tribuunt decreta tigillis: Ceu distet, cuius stellae sit fraxinus ortu.

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 4.421 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 421–450; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-421). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-421

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: If fate governs everything, laws and punishments are unjust, since no one would be guilty; but each person chooses freely and is guilty by his own will; God is above the stars, and Christ makes any fate powerless.

• Free will against astrological fatalism, as written. A fragment in the scan after line 464 (“Maiorum leges »”, footnote debris) was removed. A line seems lost before line 478 (on free faith); marked “…”, and line 478 is translated by sense.

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Eruta, quae snmmum conscenderet ardua culmcn. Denique nulla hominum res est, nulla actio mundi, Cui non fatalem memorent incumbere sortem, Quae quia constituunt, dicant, cur condita sit lex Bis sex in tabulis: aut cur rubrica minetur, Quae prohibet peccare reos, quos ferrea fata Cogunt ad facinus, et inevitabile mergunt. Quin et velle adigunt, pravum insinuantia votum, Cedite, si pudor est, gladiumque retundite vestruni: Aspera nil meritos poenis plectentia iura: Antrum carcereum dissolvite, corpora sub quo Agminis innocui fato peccante tenetis. Nemo nocens, si fata regunt, quod vivitur, ac fit: Immo nocens, quicumque volens, quod non licet, audet, Maiorum leges. » — Alterutmiii qnia velle snum est, nec fata reatum Imponunt homini, sed fit reus ipse suopte Arbitrio, placitumqne nefas et facta repeudit Impia suppliciis, merito, non sorte peremtus. Quisque putat fato esse locnm, sciat, omniparentem Esse Deum, nulli ■vetitum fatalibus astris, Nec mathesis praescripto aliquo pia vota repelli. Spirat enim maiora animus, seque altins effert Sideribus, transitque vias et nnbila fati, Et momenta premit pedibus, quaecumque putantur Figere propositam natali tempore sortem. IIuc ades, omne hominuin genus, huc concnrrite et urbes : Lnx immensa vocat; factorem noscite vestrum. Sunt aliqua, opposito vanoscunt irrita Christo. Sed mnlti duxere dei per prospera Iiomam: → Eruta, quae summum conscenderet ardua culmen. Denique nulla hominum res est, nulla actio mundi, Cui non fatalem memorent incumbere sortem. Quae quia constituunt, dicant, cur condita sit lex Bis sex in tabulis: aut cur rubrica minetur, Quae prohibet peccare reos, quos ferrea fata Cogunt ad facinus, et inevitabile mergunt; Quin et velle adigunt, pravum insinuantia votum. Cedite, si pudor est, gladiumque retundite vestrum: Aspera nil meritos poenis plectentia iura: Antrum carcereum dissolvite, corpora sub quo Agminis innocui fato peccante tenetis. Nemo nocens, si fata regunt, quod vivitur, ac fit: Immo nocens, quicumque volens, quod non licet, audet, Alterutrum quia velle suum est, nec fata reatum Imponunt homini, sed fit reus ipse suopte Arbitrio, placitumque nefas et facta rependit Impia suppliciis, merito, non sorte peremptus. Quisque putat fato esse locum, sciat, omniparentem Esse Deum, nulli vetitum fatalibus astris, Nec mathesis praescripto aliquo pia vota repelli. Spirat enim maiora animus, seque altius effert Sideribus, transitque vias et nubila fati, Et momenta premit pedibus, quaecumque putantur Figere propositam natali tempore sortem. Huc ades, omne hominum genus, huc concurrite et urbes: Lux immensa vocat; factorem noscite vestrum. Sunt aliqua, opposito vanescunt irrita Christo. Sed multi duxere dei per prospera Romam,.

Topics: Ethics

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 4.451 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 451–480; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-451). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-451

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.

Summary: Symmachus says the gods led Rome to her triumphs; the poet asks whether the gods of Delphi, Egypt, Rhodes, Ephesus and Carthage betrayed their own cities to Rome, or whether Rome simply conquered gods who could not defend themselves.

• Lines 487–489 echo Virgil, Aen. 1.17–18 (Juno and Carthage); lines seem lost in the scan before line 484 (Jupiter and Crete, Pallas and Argos) and after line 486 (Bromius and Thebes, Juno’s Africans); marked “…”. A footnote line and a stray line number were removed. Polemic as written.

Notes on the original text

• Digital text corrected (OCR text badly garbled: clear slips corrected throughout; stray line numbers, note marks, footnote and apparatus lines removed (readings restored by sense are named in the notes)): Qnos colit ob meritnm magnis donata trinmpliis. Ergo age, bellatrix, qnae vis subiecerit, ede, Enropam Libyamque tibi : dic nomina diviim. Cynthius ut Delphis; tribuerunt omine dextro. Isis Nilicolas, Rhodios Cytherea reliquit. Venatrix Ephesnm virgo, Mars dedidit Hebrnm : Et quam subiectis dominam dea gentibns esse. Phrigiis . . . nepotibns. Scii. Komanis. Si qua fata sinant, iam tum tenditque fovetque; lussit Eomuleis adclictam vivere frenis. Perfidiane deum indigenum cecidere tot urbes ? Destructaeque iacent ipsis prodentibus arae? 0 pietas, o sancta fides ! traduxit alumnos Maiestas infida locos, et creditur istis Numinibus, quae transfngio meruere sacrari? An voluit servare suos, luctataque multum 50') Eellig-io infestas tentavit pellere turmas, Romanis obnisa globis? sed fortior illam A'irtus luctifico camporum in pulvere fregit? Immo ita est, armis et viribus indiga veri Victa superstitio est, et inanom gloria fugit. Sed nec difiicilis fuit, aut satis ardua genti Natae ad procinctum victoria, frangere inertes, Moliiaque omnigenum colla inclinare deorum. Tunc cum Dictaeis bellnm Corybantibus asper Samnitis, Marsusque lovi sudore gercbat. Tnui mastigoplioris, olooque ct gymuadis arto Vnctis pugilibus, miles pugnabat Etruscus : Xoc potaso insignis poterat, Lacedaemone capta, Mercurius servare suas de clade palaostras, → Quos colit ob meritum magnis donata triumphis. Ergo age, bellatrix, quae vis subiecerit, ede, Europam Libyamque tibi: dic nomina divum. Cynthius ut Delphos, tribuerunt omine dextro Isis Nilicolas, Rhodios Cytherea, reliquit Venatrix Ephesum virgo, Mars dedidit Hebrum: Et quam subiectis dominam dea gentibus esse, Si qua fata sinant, iam tum tenditque fovetque, Iussit Romuleis addictam vivere frenis. Perfidiane deum indigenum cecidere tot urbes? Destructaeque iacent ipsis prodentibus arae? O pietas, o sancta fides! traduxit alumnos Maiestas infida locos, et creditur istis Numinibus, quae transfugio meruere sacrari? An voluit servare suos, luctataque multum Relligio infestas temptavit pellere turmas, Romanis obnisa globis? sed fortior illam Virtus luctifico camporum in pulvere fregit? Immo ita est, armis et viribus indiga veri Victa superstitio est, et inanem gloria fugit. Sed nec difficilis fuit, aut satis ardua genti Natae ad procinctum victoria, frangere inertes, Molliaque omnigenum colla inclinare deorum. Tunc cum Dictaeis bellum Corybantibus asper Samnis, Marsusque Iovi sudore gerebat, Cum mastigophoris, oleoque et gymnadis arte Unctis pugilibus, miles pugnabat Etruscus: Nec petaso insignis poterat, Lacedaemone capta, Mercurius servare suas de clade palaestras,.

Extrabiblical texts: Virgil, Aen. 1.17 (Virgil; allusion)

Cite (SBL): Prudentius, C. Symm. 4.481 (Lanfranchi 2:lines 481–510; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-481). (abbreviation not yet checked)

Permanent link: https://sophiascriptura.com/p/prudentius-contra-symmachum/4-481

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Translation: Translated by Claude from the Latin of Lanfranchi's edition (Turin, 1898; OCR, corrections logged); checked afterwards privately against FOTC 52.