Econlib

The Library

Other Sites

 Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow 1.: THEOLOGY IN THE MARKET-PLACES OF CONSTANTINOPLE — ( P. 13 ) - The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol. 5

Return to Title Page for The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol. 5

Search this Title:

Also in the Library:

Subject Area: History

1.: THEOLOGY IN THE MARKET-PLACES OF CONSTANTINOPLE — ( P. 13 ) - Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol. 5 [1776]

Edition used:

The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, ed. J.B. Bury with an Introduction by W.E.H. Lecky (New York: Fred de Fau and Co., 1906), in 12 vols. Vol. 5.

Part of: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 12 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


1.

THEOLOGY IN THE MARKET-PLACES OF CONSTANTINOPLE — (

P. 13

)

The humorous description of the interest taken in theological subtelties by the mechanics and slaves of Constantinople is quoted by Gibbon on the authority of Jortin, but Gibbon acknowledges that he does not know where it comes from, and implies that Jortin does not state his source.

A striking instance of the slumbers of Homer. Jortin indeed omits to give the reference, but he expressly ascribes the passage to “Gregory,” that is, Gregory of Nyssa, with whom he is dealing in the context. It would seem from Gibbon’s note that he took Gregory to be the Nazianzen.

The passage occurs in Gregory Nyssen’s Oratio de deitate Filii et Spiritus Sancti (Migne, Patr. Gr. 46, p. 557) and runs as follows: —

ἐὰν περὶ τω̂ν ὀβολω̂ν ἐρωτήσῃς ὁ δέ σοι περὶ γεννητον̂ καὶ ἀγεννήτου ἐϕιλοσόϕησε κἂν περὶ τιμήματος ἄρτου πύθοιο, Μείζων ὁ πατὴρ, ἀποκρίνεται, καὶ ὁ υἰὸς ὑποχείριος. εἱ δὲ, Τὸ λουτρὸν ἐπιτήδειόν ἐστιν, εἴποις, ὁ δὲ ἐξ οὐκ τὸν υἰὸν εɩ̂̓ναι διωρίσατο.