Between Heathenism and Christianity
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page 7
Between Heathenism and
Christianity:
Being a Translation of Seneca s
De Sera Numinis Vindicta,
ditional
De Providentia, and Plutarch s
together with Notes, Ad
Extracts from these writers and
Two
Essays on Graeco Roman Life in the
First
Century after Christ.
BY
CHARLES W. SUPER, Ph. D., LL. D.,
Ex-President of the Ohio
lator
of
and Professor of Greek, ibidem; trans
Order of Words, and author of a
University,
ff^eil s
History of the
German Language.
He who distrusts the light of reason will be the first to follow a more
luminous guide ; and if with an ardent love for truth he has sought her in
vain through the ways of this life, he will but turn with the more hope to
that better world where all is simple, true, and everlasting: for there is no
parallax at the zenith ; it is only near our troubled horizon that objects deceive
us into vague and erroneous calculations."
FLEMING
Chicago
.-.
H.
REVELL
New York
1899
COMPANY
.-.
Toronto
page 9
PREFACE.
It is admitted by students of history of every shade
and its rapid
most remarkable
of belief that the origin of Christanity
world is the
spread over the ancient
fact in the recorded annals of the human race.
When
we remember that it was, from the first, more or less
closely identified with the despised
religion
despised Jews; that largely for this reason
it
of the
had
to
make its way against a united front, presented by the
learned and intelligent in the w hole gentile world,
while the Jews themselves almost unanimously repu
r
diated
it;
that
the
most
organized
efficiently
government that had existed until then, was indif
ferent
or hostile;
that
it
set
before the heathen
world a condition of society in which all current
economic ideas were transformed, and that it de
manded a complete renunciation of its time^honored
we may well ask in amazement, How came
"
creeds,
these things to pass?"
Second in order among the great facts of ancient
Here
history is the growth of the Roman Empire.
we see a people at first occupying a few square miles
of territory, compelled for nearly fifteen generations
to exert themselves to the utmost to keep their enemies
at bay, suddenly bursting the barriers that confined
them and in less than half this time bringing under
their scepter almost the
whole of the then known
6
page 10
Preface
Rome s conquests
world.
have
been exceeded
rapidity. but they have m-ver been
equalled
in
in
})er-
manence.
The triumphs of Christianity and those of Roman
arms stand in a certain relation to each other, notwith
standing the
that
fact
the latter were gained with
When
material, the former with spiritual, weapons.
the conquests of the one wore ended, the other began.
When
material
forces
had spent themselves, men
began to turn, reluctantly indeed, to spiritual agencies
and undertook to subdue the powers of darkness that
had so long held sway in the human breast. While the
arms of Rome were engaged in overcoming the mar
tial opposition of her enemies. Greece w as occupied
r
with the effort to subjugate the passions of men by the
weapons of the intellect. By the time Roman con
quests had reached their limits it had been demon
strated that Greece, too. could
Greece
did not
fail
go no
farther.
But
because there were no more
was because men had learned
that her weapons were powerless to compass the end
worlds to conquer:
it
He that ruleth his own spirit is mightier
than he that taketh a city," was the lesson that tinin view.
best
of
the
Greek philosophers strove
to
impress
upon men, but strove in vain.
It will always remain a matter of interest to
study
the intellectual sphere in which the old doctrines and
the
new
faith
conflict.
What was
the
best
that
Greek thought had to offer to the world, and for what
reasons did the world reject it?
page 11
Preface
In the following pages I have attempted to put be
some of the problems
which this question gives rise. No one will deny
that Seneca stood on the threshold of Christianity,
fore my readers a solution of
to
while in the opinion of many he had already passed
within; yet all will admit that, at best, he fell far
short of the standard Christianity sets up for its con
verts.
Plutarch is not claimed by Christians, but he
exemplifies many of their virtues, and commends
many of the precepts they endeavored to put in prac
These two men best represent the strong and
the weak points of characters formed under the
stimulus of earnest effort to lead upright lives and to
tice.
discharge faithfully their duties to themselves, their
fellow men, and the higher power that controlled their
destinies.
I have selected a typical
work from the
writings of both as a nucleus around which to group
such reflections and facts as seem best fitted to illus
trate the environment in which they lived and the in
which they had fallen heir,
while I have allowed each to speak for himself on
one of the profoundest problems that has ever en
gaged the serious attention of man.
tellectual inheritance to
Surely, it cannot be a merely accidental coincidence
that a Greek at Delphi, a Roman in his adopted city,
a Jew in Alexandria,
and another Jew in Palestine,
to Christianity and had
who had been converted
adopted the profession of a traveling evangelist,
should at the same time, yet almost or quite inde
pendently of each other, maintain the doctrine of a
7
page 12
Preface
divine Providence or preach a gospel that recognized
it as a fundamental
dogma. The treatise of Philo.
though no longer extant in the original Greek, is
more extensive than the tracts here brought together.
The three united in a single volume would make
human
remarkable trinity in the history of
The
a
thought.
was evidently widespread, both con
and
that God had never be
unconsciously,
sciously
feeling
fore been so near
to
men, though but a few had
learned that the Word had become flesh and dwelt
among them, full of grace and truth.
c.
Athens,
O.,
Thanksgiving Day,
1898.
w. s.
page 13
CONTENTS,
PBEFAOE
.......
......
LIST OF THE PBINCIPAL
SENECA
LIST OF SENECA S EXTANT
WOKKS
.
.
.
7S
.
.
108
APPENDIX. LIST OF PLUTABOH S WOBKS .
104
IN
......
........
IN
6i5
.
....
CONCEBNINQ THE DELAY OF THE DEITY
THE WICKED
11
.
WOBKS USED OB CONSULTED
THE STUDY OF PLUTABCH
10
60
.
........
.
PLUTABCH AND THE GREECE OF HIS AGE
NOTES
.
.
.
.
SELECTIONS FBOM THE WRITINGS OF SENECA
CONCEBNINO PROVIDENCE
LIST OF THE PBINCIPAL
5
WORKS TTHED OK CONSULTED ON
SENECA: His CHABACTEB AND ENVIBONMENT
NOTES
PAGE.
160
PUNISHING
162
214
218
page 14
THE PRINCIPAL WORKS USED OR CONSULTED
ON SHNECA.
The following are the principal works used or con
sulted in preparing the matter relating to Seneca:
I nr
Charpentier ft Lemaistre. 4
Paris. 1S85.
Oewres completes de Senci/in
[ iihliees SOTS la direction de A/.
Nisard.
Paris, 1877.
L. Annaeus Seneca des Philosophen Wtrke iiln rsi tzt von Pauli/
und Moser. Stutttjard, 1823-32.
Christliche Kldnye
den griechischen
rumischen Klassikern.
Von R. Schneider. Leipzig, 1377.
Lttcius Annaeits Seneca und i/os Christenthum,
Von Michael
Baumyarten. Rostock, 1895.
La Religion romaine. Par Gaston Koissier, 2 tomes. Paris. 1892.
History of the Romans under the Empire.
By Charles Merivale
7 vols. New York, 1SH3-5.
L. Annnei Senecae opera quae sitpersitnt. Ed. Frid. Haase, Voll. I.
II, III.
Lipsiae, 1871-62-53.
Oeuvres completes dc SV/i^/cr.
tomes.
.
as
u<l
The two Paris editions have the Latin text and the
French translation on the same page. Both transla
tions are characteristically French, and consequently
very smooth and agreeable to read. But they pre
serve few of the salient features of the original, and
render the thoughts rather than the style of Seneca.
To the translation is accorded the place of honor
both in type and position. The German version
holds very close to the text and errs, perhaps, some
what at the other extreme as compared with the
French. The work of Baumgarten is thorough and
painstaking. It is not endorsing all the author s
views to say that it is the best recent book on Seneca
and his times.
10
page 15
SENECA: HIS CHARACTER AND ENVIRONMENT.
Lucius Annaeus Seneca, surnamed the Philoso
pher to distinguish him from his father the Rhetor
1
born in Corduba, in Spain, about 4 B. c
ician, was
authorities differ by several years as to the precise
date.
When quite young he was brought to Rome
He devoted himself with great zenl
his father.
by
and brilliant success to rhetorical and philosophical
In
of
Claudius he attained
and
quaestor
subsequently rose to
In the year 41 he was ban
the rank of senator.
ished to the island of Corsica on a charge that is ad
studies.
the
office
the
reign
of
mitted to have been false, but the nature of which is
not clearly understood.
In this barren and inhospitable island he was com
pelled to remain eight years.
He was then recalled
Rome and entrusted with the education of the
young Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, who after
wards became emperor of Rome, and notorious as the
monster Nero. For five years after his accession to
to
the principate, the young emperor treated his former
It is a noteworthy fact that many of Rome s great men were
Spaniards, while many others were not natives of the city.
Among the former were the emperors Trajan, Hadrian, Anorninns and Marcus Anrelius. The two Senecas, Lucan, Mar
tial and Quintillian were also Spaniards.
Vespasian was borat Reate; Livy, in Padua; Horace, at Venusia; Virgil, in Mantua;
Cioero, at Arpinum; the emperor Claudius, at Lugdunum;
the two Plinys, at Commn, etc.
11
page 16
Seneca: His Character and
teacher
with
much deference,
important matters, and seems
guided by
for
him by
raising
consulted him on all
him
to the
have been largely
to
He also
his advice.
Environment
testified his regard
rank of consul.
In
course of time, however, the feelings and conduct of
the prince underwent a change.
The possession of
unlimited power by a character that was both weak
and vain; the adulation of the conscienceless favorites
with whom he surrounded himself: the intrigues or
cabals to whom the high morality of the philosopher
was a standing rebuke; and the naturally vicious
temper of Xero. all conspired to prepare the way for
the downfall of Seneca
When the conspiracy of
.
Calpurnius Piso against the monarch was discovered,
the charge of participation, or at least of criminal
knowledge, was brought against Seneca, and he was
Allowed to choose the means of
condemned to die.
ending his life, he caused a vein to be opened
and thus slowly bled to death. It was his destiny
be compelled to take his departure from this
world in the way he had so often commended to
to
others;
indeed
it
encomiums upon
is
probable that his reiterated
as an effectual remedy
suicide
against the ills of this life, was not without its in
fluence upon his executioners.
They probably wanted
to give
him the opportunity to prove by his works
the sincerity of his faith.
During the closing scene he told his disconsolate
friends
that the only bequest he
was permitted
to
leave to them was the example of an honorable life;
12
page 17
Seneca: His Character and Environment
and this he besought them to keep in faithful remem
brance.
He implored his weeping wife to restrain
the expression of her grief, and bade her seek in the
recollection of the life and virtues of her husband a
solace for her loss.
It
was the fortune of Seneca not only to be well
born, but also to be well brought up and carefully
educated. That he appreciated the high worth of his
"
mother is evident from the words, best of mothers,
with which he addressed her in the Consolation to
Helvia. His father, though wealthy, was a man of
"
rigid morality, of temperate habits, of great industry,
and possessed very unusual literary attainments.
His older brother, better known as Junius Gallio
from the name of the family into which he was
adopted, was for some time procounsul of Achaia,
in which capacity he is mentioned in the Acts, xviii,
Seneca s younger brother was the father of
Lucan, the well-known author of the poem, Pharsalia.
Both his mother and his aunt, he was an
12-17.
especial favorite of the latter
were not only women
of exalted character, but they
had acquired an intel
lectual
culture
that
was very uncommon
for their
sex in their day.
Our authorities for a life of Seneca and for an es
timate of his character are fairly ample and have
been variously interpreted.
Nothing can be gained
To some of his
by taking up
or
he
was
more
less of an
contemporaries even,
the controversy anew.
enigma.
Others, again, regarded him as a time=server,
18
page 18
His Character and Environment
Seneca:
a
hypocrite, a man whose professions were belied by
and they are largely in the
Still others.
his actions.
are more lenient in their judgment; though
majority
they cannot exculpate him from inconsistencies, they
excuse them by pointing to the extremely difficult posi
tion in which he was placed during the greater part of
He has strong partisans who are attracted
his life.
and charmed by the sublime sentiments scattered
so profusely
forming
through his writings; his enemies, in
on what
their opinions, lay the chief stress
they regard as the inexcusable deeds of his life. It
is too late to add anything to the evidence either pro
All that it is proposed to do in this essay is
before
the reader a picture of the man,
place
own
from
his
writings, as the chief exponent
mainly
or contra.
to
highest philosophy reached by the ancient
world before this philosophy was supplanted by the
of the
new religion that was destined
in
the
thought
to Cicero,
of
or rather
mankind.
take
its
Seneca
was
to
along with Cicero,
place
next
the most
distinguished Roman philosopher; but as a philos
opher he has received the far greater share
of attention.
were
Both were Romans
earnestly
in
engaged
the
at
heart;
search
for
both
the
supreme good; both were guilty of conduct incon
sistent with their professions; both tried and tried
combine a life devoted to reflection with
with an active career in the service of the state; and
in vain to
But Seneca not only had a higher ideal
Cicero; he also came nearer attaining it.
both failed.
than
14
page 19
Seneca: His Character and Environment
He was less
hungry for public honors
and applause, and attached less importance to mere
outward display. As a thinker Seneca has more
vain,
less
originality than Cicero, is less dependent upon books,
knows better the motives that underlie human con
Both were essentially Roman in their views
of life, and it is only by keeping this in rnind that we
duct.
are able to explain,
if
not to excuse, the lack of har
mony between what they said and what they did;
between what they preached and what they practised.
Like that of Cicero, Seneca s was no adamantine
soul, no
unyielding barrier against which the vices
He had the Roman liking
of his time beat in vain.
what is practical. He tried to be a statesman
and was somewhat of a courtier when to be a courtier
and an upright man was impossible. He was no
Socrates to whom virtue, the fundamentally and in
trinsically right, was more important than anything
else, than all else, even abstention from the political
for
turmoil of his time.
When a long and acrimonious strife is carried on
over a man it is evidence that he
son.
is
no ordinary per
This has been the fate of Seneca in an emi
nent degree.
During the Middle Ages, arid even
after their close, a great deal of attention was paid to
reputed correspondence with St. Paul. The
National Library in Paris contains more than sixty
MSS. of this pseudo^ correspondence. That he was
his
The poet
n
shared
similar
is
far
in the
less
there
Virgil
fate; yet
claimed as a Christian need surprise no one.
15