Against the Valentinians — Chapter 8

1

We everywhere give Tertullian’s own names, whether of Greek form or Latin. On their first occurrence we also give their English sense.

2

Ebulliunt.

3

Proinde conjugales.

4

Of this name there are two forms—Αἶνος (Praise) and ᾽Αεινοῦς (Eternal Mind).

5

Or Τελετός (Teletus). Another form of this Æon’s name is Φιλητός (Philetus = Beloved). Oehler always reads Theletus.

6

Cogor.

7

Frigidissimus.

8

Cum virum fortem peroraret…inquit.

9

Tertullian’s joke lies in the equivocal sense of this cry, which may mean either admiration and joy, or grief and rage.

10

Audisti: interrogatively.

11

See above, chap. iv. p. 505.

12

Privilegia.

13

Castrata.

14

Tanta numerorum coagula.

15

The pædagogium was either the place where boys were trained as pages (often for lewd purposes), or else the boy himself of such a character.

16

Oehler reads, “hetæri (ἑταῖροι) et syntrophi.” Another reading, supported by Rigaltius, is “sterceiæ,” instead of the former word, which gives a very contemptuous sense, suitable to Tertullian’s irony.

Chapter 8

Chapter VIII.—The Names and Descent of Other Æons; First Half a Score, Then Two More, and Ultimately a Dozen Besides. These Thirty Constitute the Pleroma. But Why Be So Capricious as to Stop at Thirty?

Notes