Arnobius

“ For the first one of whom we spoke will perhaps say: “The name Minerva is mine, mine [3] the divine majesty, who bore Apollo and Diana, and by the fruit of my womb enriched heaven with deities, and multiplied the number of the gods.” “Nay, Minerva,” the fifth will say, “are you speaking, [4] who, being a wife, and so often a mother, have lost the sanctity of spotless purity? Do you not see that in all temples [5] the images of Minervas are those of virgins, and that all artists refrain from giving to them the figures of matrons? ”

“ For suppose that it had occurred to us, moved either by suitable influence or violent fear of you, [1] to worship Minerva, for example, with the rights you deem sacred, and the usual ceremony: if, when we prepare sacrifices, and approach to make the offerings appointed for her on the flaming altars, all the Minervas shall fly thither, and striving for the right to that name, each demand that the offerings prepared be given to herself; what drawn-out animal shall we place among them, or to whom shall we direct the sacred offices which are our duty? ”

“ Or if, as you maintain, it is true that you are reason, cease to claim for yourself the name which is mine; for reason, of which you speak, is not a certain form of deity, but the understanding of difficult questions. ”