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On the Theophania

Eusebius of Caesarea, tr. Lee, 1843

And hence we may perceive why appointments, the character of which was varying, subverted…

And hence we may perceive why appointments, the character of which was varying, subverted the lives of all. For the Egyptians had a law, allowing them to take their own sisters as wives: the Persians, to hold shameful and sinful converse with their own mothers: others, to pollute their own daughters in unlawful wedlock: and of these, the extent was such, that (“the natural use of”) the woman was interdicted. The wickedness too, of the Philosophers themselves, as also the intercourse with men which is out of nature, had reduced all the Greeks to insanity. Besides there were some, by whom it was thought right to conceal (their own while living) in the earth in Sepulchres; and by others, to deliver (these) to the flames! Others however, gave up these things as impious, and exposed their dead (only) to the dogs and birds of prey. Others murdered those who came to them as guests! Others too, feasted themselves on human flesh! And again, there were those who, when their friends were in the agonies (of death), sacrificed them and feasted on them, before they expired! Others, who were approaching old age, they threw from rocks! Others they gave up to strangulation! Others they threw to the dogs, while still living; and others, while dying! Others they buried with these (alive)! while others put the living to death on the funeral pile; those (I say), whom those (now) dead had loved!