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On the Theophania

Eusebius of Caesarea, tr. Lee, 1843

But I omit the Thracians and Scythians; and also the Athenians, who put to death the …

But I omit the Thracians and Scythians; and also the Athenians, who put to death the daughter of Erectheus and Praxithia. But, Whom has it escaped, that even to this time, a man is sacrificed in the Great City (Megalopolis) at the feast of Jupiter Latiaris? For even up to this time, it was not only to Jupiter in Arcadia, nor to Saturn in Carthage, that they all commonly sacrificed men; but, through the remembrance of the law, they shed their own blood upon the altars every year! The most select Philosophers also attest, that things were thus: for Diodorus who abridged the Bibliotheca has affirmed, that the Libyans publicly sacrificed two hundred of the sons of the nobles to Saturn! Nor did they add to the sacrifices, fewer than three hundred others! He too, who wrote the history of the Romans, whose name is Dionysius (of Halicarnassus) has said, that Jupiter and Apollo required upon a time, human sacrifices from those in Italy who were called the Aborigines. These however, had sacrificed to the Gods that select part (Tithes) both of their fruits and flowers, which was required of them. But, as they had offered no human sacrifices, they fell into every sort of calamity. Nor did they obtain any relief from these evils, until they had decimated themselves! Thus therefore, having selected a tithe of the men, and sacrificed them to Jupiter and Apollo, they became the cause of (their) country’s ruin! And, so far had this entire corruption of soul destroyed human life, that no other hope of salvation could be prescribed, except that which was from God the Saviour: this alone, and no other, was wanting to the race that is mortal.