The glorious sun rose in undimmed splendour on a morning in the early
part of the fourth century over everlasting Rome, his rays glancing on
countless temples, statues, columns, and towers, on long lines of
aqueducts and other public edifices, and on the proud mansions of the
patricians which covered the slopes and crowned the summits of her seven
hills. The populace were already astir, bent on keeping holiday, for a
grand festival was about to be held in honour of Jupiter Optimus Maximus
and his two associate divinities Juno and Minerva. The flamens, with
their assistants, and the vestal virgins, aided by many fair patrician
matrons and maidens eager to show their piety and to gain the favour of
the gods, had been labouring all night in decorating the temples; and
already the porticoes and the interior columns appeared adorned with
wreaths and festoons of green leaves and gay flowers; while wax tapers
in silver candlesticks, on countless shrines, had been prepared for
lighting at the appointed moment. At the entrance of each temple,
either fixed in the wall or standing on a tripod, was an
acquiminarium,--a basin of silver or gold, freshly filled to the brim
with holy-water, with which salt had been united; a minor flamen in
white robes, with brush in hand, standing ready to sprinkle any who
might desire the purging process. Others of their fraternity were busy
hanging up in the temples of Aesculapius votive offerings--in the shape
of arms, legs, and other parts of the human body, representing the limbs
of his worshippers, which by his powerful instrumentality had been
restored to health. Bands of musicians with a variety of instruments,
and dancers in scanty dresses, were moving about singing and playing,
and exhibiting their terpsichorean performances before the temples and
minor shrines erected at the corners of the principal highways. The
fronts of the shrines were, like the temples, adorned with wreaths of
flowers; while tapers, in horn lanterns, burned before them. Swarms
also of mendicant priests, habited in coarse robes, with shaven crowns,
and huge sacks at their backs, were parading the streets going from
house to house begging for doles, and holding up small images of the
gods to be adored by the ignorant populace; never failing to bestow
their heaviest maledictions on those who refused them alms, cursing them
as Christian atheists.
It was yet early when two persons, quitting the Curia Hostilia at the
foot of the Coelian Hill, took their way past the magnificent Flavian
Amphitheatre towards the Sacra Via. Their costume was alike, and
consisted of a fine toga, with a deep purple border, and on the head an
apex--a conical cap surmounted by a spike of olive-wood--which showed
them to belong to the Holy College of the Pontiffs. The dress of the
elder of the two had, in addition, stripes of purple, marking his
superior rank. To prevent their togas from being soiled by the dust on
the road, they had drawn them up under their right shoulders, so as to
allow the skirts to hang gracefully over their left arms, exhibiting the
richly-embroidered thongs which secured their sandals. They passed
onward with a dignified and haughty air. Both were fine-looking men.
The elder possessed a handsome countenance; his firm-set mouth, high
brow, and keen piercing eyes, showed determination and acuteness of
intellect, though at the same time the expression was rather repulsive
than pleasing. His companion's features were less handsome, and it
might have been seen at a glance that he was fond of the good things of
life.
They had nearly reached the colossal statue of Nero--now wearing the
head of Apollo, placed on it by Vespasian instead of that of the
tyrant--which towered almost as high as the lofty walls of the
amphitheatre. After having hitherto kept silence, absorbed in his own
thoughts, the elder pontiff addressed the younger.
"We shall triumph still, Gaius, though, by the Immortals, these
Christians have made fearful progress of late. They swarm in this city,
and even, as I hear, throughout every part of the world; for since the
time when the Emperor Diocletian wisely resolved to put them down, by
destroying the places where they met to worship, preventing their secret
assemblies, and burning their books, they have once more risen in an
audacious manner and walk about with all the airs of freedmen. I hope
ere long to see the arena of the amphitheatre again filled with the
atheists, struggling unarmed against the wild beasts let in on them, to
tear them limb from limb. I well remember many such a scene. The
populace delight in it even more than in the games of Carinus, the
magnificent displays of the Naumachia, or even than in the combats of a
thousand gladiators. The exhibition we have prepared for to-day will do
much, I suspect, to win back the fickle multitude to the worship of the
gods. The ignorant naturally delight in gorgeous shows and spectacles
of all sorts, incapable as they are of comprehending the refinements of
philosophy; and when they benefit by the flesh of the victims
distributed among them, they will, depend on it, be strong advocates for
the continuance of sacrifices to the gods."
"I hope, Coecus, that we shall succeed, but in truth these Christians
have hitherto shown a wonderful amount of obstinacy, not only in
adhering to their mysteries, but in propagating them in all directions.
I cannot understand their faith--without even a visible representation
of a God before which to bow down, or a single object for the eye to fix
on," observed the younger pontiff. "I know, however, something about
their belief; but even were I not a pontiff I should object to it. In
addition to the hatred they display towards the ancient religion, they
would deprive us poor mortals of all the pleasures of life. They rail
against rich viands and generous wines; and, by Bacchus, were they to
have their way, the gods and, what is of more consequence, we their
priests, would no longer be supported, and these our magnificent temples
would fall to decay. Still, I confess that, would they consent to
worship publicly before the shrines of the gods, they might, as far as I
am concerned, practise their rites in secret, and attend, as they are
wont to do, to the sick and suffering. I have less hatred for them than
contempt."
"For my part, I hate them with an undying hatred, if it is of the
accursed Nazarenes you speak, Gaius," said Coecus, gnashing his teeth.
"You speak, Coecus, of these Nazarenes with less than your usual
philosophical calmness," observed the younger pontiff.
"I have cause to do so; one of the vile wretches dared to cross my path
and rob me of a jewel I valued more than life itself," exclaimed the
elder pontiff, his eyes flashing and his lips quivering with rage.
"While yet the hot blood of youth coursed through my veins, I met the
beautiful Eugenia, daughter of the patrician Gentianus, at an exhibition
of the Naumachia. To see her once was to love, to adore her: in grace
and beauty she surpassed Venus herself; in majesty of form she was
Juno's rival; while on her brow sate the calm dignity of Minerva. I
soon obtained an introduction to Gentianus; and though I found him
somewhat reserved, I had reason to believe that he was not unfavourable
to my suit. Eugenia, aware of the admiration she had excited, received
me kindly, and I did everything I could think of to gain her good
graces. Matters were progressing favourably, when I perceived a change
in her and her father. I was admitted as before, but her manner became
cold and distant, and Gentianus no longer looked on me with a favourable
eye. I discovered, as I believed, the cause. A rival had appeared,
Severus by name, a stranger in Rome; not in good looks, in figure, or
manners to be compared to me. I watched Severus with a jealous eye, and
employed spies to track his footsteps. I learnt that he attended the
secret meetings of the Nazarenes. He had, in truth, a soft and silvery
tongue, and by his art and eloquence had won over Eugenia and Gentianus
to his accursed faith. Still, knowing that wealth is all-potent in Rome
as elsewhere, I resolved to demand the hand of Eugenia of her father.
He neither refused nor accepted my offer, but, instead, endeavoured to
explain to me the doctrines of the new faith. Astonished, I bluntly
asked whether he had himself adopted them, `I have,' he replied, `and as
a Christian I could not allow my daughter to wed an idolater!'--for so
he dared to call me. I dissembled my anger while he continued speaking,
decrying the immortal gods, and endeavouring to induce me to adopt the
tenets of his religion. It may have been, at that time, that Severus
was not, as I supposed, affianced to Eugenia; but ere long they were
betrothed, and she ultimately became his wife. Still, I could not
abandon all hope of winning her--a dagger might end her husband's life--
and while brooding over my disappointment, and seeking for some means of
gratifying my love and revenge, the edict of Diocletian against the
Christians was promulgated. Numbers of the fanatics were seized, and
once more the Flavian Amphitheatre witnessed their tortures and death--
some compelled to do battle with trained gladiators, others, naked and
unarmed, to struggle with ferocious lions. The time for which I yearned
had now arrived. I fully expected to get the hated Severus and his
father-in-law, Gentianus, into my power, resolving not to rest till I
had given the former over to the wild beasts, and compelled the old man
to renounce his creed and consent to his daughter becoming my bride.
Believing that their capture was certain, I set off with a band of
faithful followers, and surrounded their house; but on breaking open the
door, what was my rage to discover that my intended prey had fled! I
sent emissaries, under various disguises, to every part of the city to
search for them; I ascertained, however, that scarcely an hour before I
visited their house, they had left it, and made their way out of the
city towards the entrance of those numerous galleries hewn in the
sand-rock far down beneath the surface of the earth. Not to be
defeated, I ordered a trusty band to search for the fugitives in those
subterranean regions, but having no wish to descend to Avernus before my
time, I myself remained outside. My people were some time away; they
came back at length, dragging four or five trembling wretches of the
meaner sort, while their swords were dripping with the blood of several
others they had slain. Whether or not the chief quarry had escaped, I
was left in doubt, as they brought no token to prove who were those who
had fallen, and they vowed that they would not return to run the risk of
losing their way and perishing miserably amid the labyrinthine passages
of that underground region. The shades of evening compelled me at last
to return to the city with the wretched prisoners who had been captured,
and I registered a vow at the shrine of Bellona that I would wreak my
vengeance on the heads of Gentianus and Severus should I ever get them
into my power. In vain, however, did I seek for Eugenia and her father:
they had either made their escape from the neighbourhood of Rome or had
carefully concealed themselves underground. I had good reason, however,
ere long to know that the latter was the case. I have since in vain
searched for them; concealed by their fellow-religionists, they have
eluded my vigilance. That abominable edict which our politic emperor
issued at Milan, allowing the Christians to enjoy their religion in
peace, made me abandon all expectation of being able to wreak my
vengeance on the head of Severus by open means, though I still cherished
the hope that he would come forth from his hiding-place, when the
assassin's dagger would quickly have finished his career and given me my
still-beloved Eugenia. Still, I have reason to believe that they are in
existence, and that Gentianus, knowing that I am not likely to break my
vow, is afraid to issue from his concealment; notwithstanding that on
the revocation of the edicts by Maxentius the Nazarenes have generally
ventured forth from their hiding-places. They have, indeed, since then,
in vast numbers, appeared in public, openly declaring their creed, and
diligently endeavouring to obtain proselytes from all classes,--thus
daringly showing their hatred and contempt of the gods whose priests we
are. It is high time, indeed, since the emperors no longer care to
preserve the ancient faith, that we should be up and doing, and if we
cannot employ open means, should by craft and subtlety put a stop to the
pernicious system. What say you, Gaius?"
"I can fully enter into your feelings," observed Gaius. "I myself have
been crossed more than once by these Nazarenes; although, were it not
that our order is in some peril, I confess that I have felt no great
antipathy to them. Indeed, some years ago, my only sister Livia became
indoctrinated with their opinions, and married one of them. He was
seized, and died, with many hundreds more, in yonder arena but she
escaped, and disappeared for some years from sight. I again at length
met her, reduced to great distress, supported, I believe, by her
co-religionists; but so poverty-stricken were they that they could
afford her but the common necessaries of life. She was a sweet and
gentle creature and, though I condemned her heresy, I had not the heart
to leave her to perish. You will say, Coecus, that I should have been
more stoical, but I had a motive which will excuse me in your sight.
She had an only child, a handsome boy, the young Jovinian, who reminded
me of her in the days of her youth and beauty. Once, too. I should
have said, she tended me when I was sick, and might have died, in spite
of all the offerings my friends made to Aesculapius, and the skill of
the physicians who attended me, had it not been for her watchful care.
Gratitude induced me to visit her; I procured the best assistance
medical skill could afford; but whether it was counteracted by the
visits of her Nazarene friends I know not,--so the gods willed it, she
gradually sank. Her only thoughts seemed to be about the welfare of her
boy, and in spite of all the offers I made to give him a college
education befitting his patrician rank--for his father was of our order
as well as his mother--and to watch over his advancement in life, she
would not yield him to me, but preferred rather to confide him to the
care of a miserable poverty-stricken relative, who was the means
originally of her perversion from the ancient faith. Visiting her one
day, I found her boy with her. She was evidently much worse. In vain I
endeavoured to console her: she breathed her last shortly afterwards.
It was truly piteous to hear the child calling on her to speak to him.
At length, discovering the truth, he sank fainting over her inanimate
body. I took him in my arms, and, in spite of his struggles, bore him
away, intending to send the Libertinarii to arrange for poor Livia's
funeral. Wrapping him in a lacerna, and shrouding his head in the hood
to stifle his cries, I committed him to the slaves in attendance
outside, who carried him off to our college, where he could be well
looked after. As they bore him along the narrow streets several
persons, who were, I suspect, Nazarenes, looked out from the overhanging
balconies to watch us. My object was to prevent my relative Amulius
from discovering what had become of the boy. I had little doubt that I
should soon reconcile him to the change, and teach him to worship the
gods of his fathers. I have had, I must own, more difficulty than I had
expected. He was continually talking of his mother, but not with the
sorrow I should have anticipated, as he seemed satisfied that she was in
the realms of bliss--a glorious place in which she had taught him to
believe,--while he offered petitions to some unknown being to help and
support him, and to keep him faithful to the creed with which she had
indoctrinated his young mind. It seemed surprising that at so early an
age he should be so determined in his belief. He, indeed, as I
understood him, prayed continually to an Almighty God, to whom he could
approach boldly by the intercession of One he called Jesus, without the
intervention of demigod or priests. I gained more knowledge of the
extraordinary faith of the Nazarenes from the young boy than I had
hitherto possessed. It seems wonderfully simple. They believe that one
Almighty God rules the universe; that man was placed on the earth free
to accept or reject this mighty God, but bound to obedience; that being
disobedient, he and all his descendants have become prone to sin, but
yet this Almighty Being, loving men, sent One, a portion of Himself,
down on earth, born of a woman; who, offering Himself as a sacrifice for
their sins, was put to death on the accursed Cross, thus satisfying the
Almighty's justice, the guiltless One being punished instead of the
guilty. Thus all who believe on Him are considered free from sin and
reconciled to the great Being whom, by their sins, they have offended.
Can you understand this doctrine, Coecus?"
"Not in the slightest degree," answered the pontiff, who had been paying
but little attention to what his companion was saying, his mind being
engaged on projects for the maintenance of his order, which he had good
reason to fear was in danger. "It is to me incomprehensible."
"So, by Bacchus, it is to me, though I understand with tolerable
clearness the principles of the system," observed Gaius. "What I
greatly object to in it is, that these Nazarenes seem to require no
priests nor sacrifices, and worship without any forms or ceremonies, as
they declare that this Jesus is their sole priest, and that He is at the
right hand of their great God, pleading His own sacrifice, whereby all
their sins were purged away. I have done my utmost, I should say, as in
duty bound, to drive such notions out of the mind of my nephew. I
forgot to mention that after I had made such arrangements for the
funeral of my sister as became her rank, when the Libertinarii arrived
with the slaves to wash and anoint the body, to place a coin on its
mouth to pay the ferryman in Hades, and to plant a branch of cypress at
the door of the house in which she died, it was found that the Nazarenes
had removed it, in order to inter it according to their own rites, some
way without the city, instead of allowing it to be carried, as I should
have wished, on a handsome praetrum, followed by mourners and bands of
music, to the bustum, there to be consumed on the funeral pyre."
"It matters little what became of the poor dame; she must have been a
weak creature," observed Coecus, in a supercilious tone, re-arranging
the folds of his toga and walking on.