Exhortation to the Greeks 2.40
Summary: If the pagan gods are not gods, perhaps they are daemons; but then they are greedy and foul, and many are simply local heroes.
Greek text · Stählin 1:30
Εἶεν δή· ἐπειδὴ οὐ θεοί, οὓς θρῃσκεύετε, αὖθις ἐπισκέψασθαί μοι δοκεῖ εἰ ὄντως εἶεν δαίμονες, δευτέρᾳ ταύτῃ, ὡς ὑμεῖς φατέ, ἐγκαταλεγόμενοι τάξει. εἰ γὰρ οὖν δαίμονες, λίχνοι τε καὶ μιαροί. ἔστι μὲν ἐφευρεῖν καὶ ἀναφανδὸν οὕτω κατὰ πόλεις δαίμονας ἐπιχωρίους τιμὴν ἐπιδρεπομένους, παρὰ Κυθνίοις Μενέδημον, παρὰ Τηνίοις Καλλισταγόραν, παρὰ Δηλίοις Ἄνιον, παρὰ Λάκωσιν Ἀστράβακον.
English · Claude translation
Well then, since those whom you worship are not gods, it seems to me that we should consider next whether they are really daemons, enrolled, as you say, in this second rank. For if they are daemons, they are greedy and foul. One can even find local daemons openly receiving honor in the various cities: among the Cythnians Menedemus, among the Tenians Callistagoras, among the Delians Anius, among the Spartans Astrabacus.
About this passage
Notes
Translation notes
- In Greek usage a δαίμων could be any lesser divine being, not necessarily evil; Clement exploits the word's range.
Cite this passage
Clement of Alexandria, Protr. 2.40 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-protrepticus/2/40/).
Plain text
Clement of Alexandria, Protr. 2.40 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/clement-protrepticus/2/40/).
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