DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.14563#0358
DESTRUCTION OF IDOLATRY.
313
Strength and numbers were much inferior to those of their
antagonists, rose in arms at the instigation of the philosopher
Olympius, who exhorted them to die in defence of the altars
of the gods. These pagan fanatics fortified themselves in
the temple, or rather fortress, of Serapis, repelled the be-
siegers by daring sallies and a resolute defence ; and, by the
inhuman cruelties which they exercised on their Christian
prisoners, obtained the last consolation of despair. The
efforts of the prudent magistrate were usefully exerted for
the establishment of a truce, till the answer of Theodosius
should determine the fate of Serapis. The two parties
assembled without arms in the principal square, and the
imperial rescript was publicly read. But when a sentence
of destruction against the idols of Alexandria was pro-
nounced, the Christians set up a shout of joy and exultation,
whilst the unfortunate pagans, whose fury had given way to
consternation, retired with hasty and silent steps, and eluded
by their flight or obscurity the resentment of their enemies.
Theophilus proceeded to demolish the temple of Serapis,
without any other difficulties than those which he found in
the weight and solidity of the materials; but these obstacles
proved so insuperable that he was obliged to leave the foun-
dations, and to content himself with reducing the edifice
itself to a heap of rubbish, a part of which was soon after
cleared away, to make room for a church erected in honor
of the Christian martyrs. The colossal statue of Serapis
was involved in the ruin of his temple and religion. A
great number of plates of different metals, artificially joined
together, composed the majestic figure of the deity, who
touched on either side the walls of the sanctuary. The
huge idol was overthrown and broken to pieces, and the
parts of Serapis were ignominiously dragged through the
streets of Alexandria."
Such was the final inauguration of Christianity in Egypt
313
Strength and numbers were much inferior to those of their
antagonists, rose in arms at the instigation of the philosopher
Olympius, who exhorted them to die in defence of the altars
of the gods. These pagan fanatics fortified themselves in
the temple, or rather fortress, of Serapis, repelled the be-
siegers by daring sallies and a resolute defence ; and, by the
inhuman cruelties which they exercised on their Christian
prisoners, obtained the last consolation of despair. The
efforts of the prudent magistrate were usefully exerted for
the establishment of a truce, till the answer of Theodosius
should determine the fate of Serapis. The two parties
assembled without arms in the principal square, and the
imperial rescript was publicly read. But when a sentence
of destruction against the idols of Alexandria was pro-
nounced, the Christians set up a shout of joy and exultation,
whilst the unfortunate pagans, whose fury had given way to
consternation, retired with hasty and silent steps, and eluded
by their flight or obscurity the resentment of their enemies.
Theophilus proceeded to demolish the temple of Serapis,
without any other difficulties than those which he found in
the weight and solidity of the materials; but these obstacles
proved so insuperable that he was obliged to leave the foun-
dations, and to content himself with reducing the edifice
itself to a heap of rubbish, a part of which was soon after
cleared away, to make room for a church erected in honor
of the Christian martyrs. The colossal statue of Serapis
was involved in the ruin of his temple and religion. A
great number of plates of different metals, artificially joined
together, composed the majestic figure of the deity, who
touched on either side the walls of the sanctuary. The
huge idol was overthrown and broken to pieces, and the
parts of Serapis were ignominiously dragged through the
streets of Alexandria."
Such was the final inauguration of Christianity in Egypt