The Five Books Against Marcion — Book 1, Chapter 13

1

This is an ironical concession from the Marcionite side.

2

Another concession.

3

Tertullian’s rejoinder.

4

De isto.

5

They called it κόσμος.

6

By sapientiæ professores he means the heathen philosophers; see De Præscript. Hæret. c. 7.

7

In his book adv. Hermogenem, c. 8, Tertullian calls the philosophers “hæreticorum patriarchæ.”

8

Formidaverint.

9

Substantiæ.

10

Dei.

11

The Greek name of Jupiter, Ζεύς, is here derived from ζέω, ferveo, I glow. Juno’s name, ῞Ηρα, Tertullian connects with ἀήρ, the air; παρὰ τὸ ἀὴρ καθ᾽ ὑπέρθεσιν ῞Ηρα. These names of the two great deities suggest a connection with fire and air.

12

i.e., Cybele.

13

The earth’s irrigations, and the washings of the image of Cybele every year in the river Almo by her priests, are here confusedly alluded to. For references to the pagan custom, see White and Riddle’s large Lat. Dict. s. v. Almo.

14

Mithras, the Persian sun-god, was symbolized by the image of a lion. The sun entering the zodiacal sign Leo amidst summer heat may be glanced at.

15

Deficiam ad.

16

Sordidum. [Well and nobly said.]

Book 1 · Chapter 13

Chapter XIII.—The Marcionites Depreciate the Creation, Which, However, is a Worthy Witness of God. This Worthiness Illustrated by References to the Heathen Philosophers, Who Were Apt to Invest the Several Parts of Creation with Divine Attributes.

Notes