of the deities added to the rest are those which, by their
beneficence to mankind, were honored with a divine worship, though
they were born of mortal race; of this sort were Hercules, Castor
and Pollux, and Bacchus. These are reputed to be of a human
species; for of all beings that which is divine is most excellent,
and man amongst all animals is adorned with the greatest beauty, is
also the best, being adorned by virtue above the rest because of
the gift of intellect: therefore it was thought that those who were
admirable for excellence should resemble that which is the best and
most beautiful.



CHAPTER VII.

WHAT IS GOD?

Some of the philosophers, such as Diagoras the Melian, Theodorus
the Cyrenean, and Euemerus the Tegeatan, did deny unanimously that
there were any gods; and Callimachus the Cyrenean discovered his
mind concerning Euemerus in these Iambic verses, thus writing:--

To th' ante-mural temple flock apace,
Where he that long ago composed of brass
Great Jupiter, Thrasonic old bald pate,
Now scribbles impious books,--a boastful ass!

meaning books which prove there are no gods. Euripides the
tragedian durst not openly declare his sentiment; the court of
Areopagus terrified him. Yet he sufficiently manifested his