Opening the library…
Ad Nationes
Tertullian
There remains the gentile class of gods amongst the several nations:
See above, c. i. [p. 129.]
Municipes. “Their local worshippers or subjects.”
Perceperint.
Literally, “Have men heard of any Nortia belonging to the Vulsinensians?”
Deos decuriones, in allusion to the small provincial senates which in the later times spread over the Roman colonies and municipia.
Privatas.
Compare Suidas, s. v. Σαράπις; Rufinus, Hist. Eccl. ii. 23. As Serapis was Joseph in disguise, so was Joseph a type of Christ, according to the ancient Christians, who were fond of subordinating heathen myths to Christian theology.
Tertullian is not the only writer who has made mistakes in citing from memory Scripture narratives. Comp. Arnobius.
Suggestu.
Modialis.
Super caput esse, i.e., was entrusted to him.
Canem dicaverunt.
Compressa.
Isis; comp. The Apology, xvi. [See p. 31, supra.]
Consecrasse.
Recontrans.