DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26300#0080
PART I.
^EGYPTIACA.
49
In a manner lefs cruel, at leaft, if not lefs reprehenfi-
ble, did the worfhippers of Serapis contrive to extend
his reputation, at the period when the Emperor Vefpa-
fian vihted the city. The circumftances of that extraor-
dinary tranfadtion have been already alluded to; and
its celebrity will warrant the conclufion, that the Idol
was now pofTeffed of great credit and influence, and had
fully re-eftablifhed his ancient dominion.
Serapis is not noticed in Hiflory from this period till
the reign of Commodus, when, according to Eufebius,
his temple was in danger of being confumed by fireu.
In the following century it witnefTed the triumph of
Chriftian fortitude over the infults of Pagan fuperfti-
tion. On the hundred fleps, by which the votaries of
Serapis were afcending to bow themfelves before their
Idol, did Origen boldly withftand the multitude who
urged him to join in their rites, and even converted
u <c Anno 2d°. Commodi Imp. Templum Serapidis Alexandria incen-
“ fum.” This teftimony of the ecclefiaftical Hiftorian, which is preferved
only in the Latin tranfiation of Jerome, is falfely tranflated by Cave, “ [In
“ the fecond year of Commodus,] the Temple of Serapis at Alexandria was
“ burnt down.” Lives of the Primitive Fathers, vol. i. p. 320. Incenfum
Templum, is an expreffion exadlly limilar to the incenfa urbe of Virgil, (riEn.
ii. 327.) which means a city on fire, not a city burnt. And it is certain, from
indifputable evidence, that the Serapeum exifted after this time in very
great fplendor.
H
^EGYPTIACA.
49
In a manner lefs cruel, at leaft, if not lefs reprehenfi-
ble, did the worfhippers of Serapis contrive to extend
his reputation, at the period when the Emperor Vefpa-
fian vihted the city. The circumftances of that extraor-
dinary tranfadtion have been already alluded to; and
its celebrity will warrant the conclufion, that the Idol
was now pofTeffed of great credit and influence, and had
fully re-eftablifhed his ancient dominion.
Serapis is not noticed in Hiflory from this period till
the reign of Commodus, when, according to Eufebius,
his temple was in danger of being confumed by fireu.
In the following century it witnefTed the triumph of
Chriftian fortitude over the infults of Pagan fuperfti-
tion. On the hundred fleps, by which the votaries of
Serapis were afcending to bow themfelves before their
Idol, did Origen boldly withftand the multitude who
urged him to join in their rites, and even converted
u <c Anno 2d°. Commodi Imp. Templum Serapidis Alexandria incen-
“ fum.” This teftimony of the ecclefiaftical Hiftorian, which is preferved
only in the Latin tranfiation of Jerome, is falfely tranflated by Cave, “ [In
“ the fecond year of Commodus,] the Temple of Serapis at Alexandria was
“ burnt down.” Lives of the Primitive Fathers, vol. i. p. 320. Incenfum
Templum, is an expreffion exadlly limilar to the incenfa urbe of Virgil, (riEn.
ii. 327.) which means a city on fire, not a city burnt. And it is certain, from
indifputable evidence, that the Serapeum exifted after this time in very
great fplendor.
H