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On the Theophania
Eusebius of Caesarea, tr. Lee, 1843
If however, these things are not known to all; yet Who, of those that are fond of reading…
If however, these things are not known to all; yet Who, of those that are fond of reading of the affairs of the Greeks, can be ignorant of them?—of the war (for example) of the Peloponnesians and Athenians, of which Thucydides is the writer?—how Greeks warred with Greeks?—how they subdued the Potidæans?—how they trampled on the Thebans and Platæans?—how the Thracians and Macedonians at one time assisted the Athenians, and at another became their enemies?—how the Athenians reduced Corinth, and desolated the country of the Epirotæ and Træzenii?—how they wasted the Lacedemonians; and these again, suffered in like manner from the Lacedemonians when they invaded Attica, and depopulated the country of the Athenians? At another time, the Olynthians made war on the Athenians; and these again, on others: and these, on their neighbours! Every species of warfare moreover, abounded among them: fights in ships (by sea), fights by land, and fights with cavalry! All these innumerable things did the Gods,—as one may affirm,—fully bring to pass at that time among the Greeks! Nor was it (this) only, but they were also conversant among men; they were honoured, and they were served: not as is now the case; but,—as (all) affirm,—as their fathers worshipped those ancient (Deities), and gave themselves up to them, so as to be their friends and to converse with them, as being Gods (present) with them, and residing with them on the earth. And in many things, both by divinations and revelations, did these assist them. Nevertheless, the fruits of honouring these Gods were these; wars, contentions, desolations, and captivities!