Political Fragments of Archytas, Charondas, Zaleucus + Hierocles (1822) - Page 16

into a court of justice by them, he was whipped. But while the blood was flowing, he took some of it in the hollow of his hand and besprinkled the judge, at the same time exclaiming:

This passage of Porphyry originated from the following oracle of Apollo, preserved by Eusebius:

Original Greek text omitted for brevity, but represented by the author’s translation below.

But for "Hebrews" (Εβραιων) in the last line, I read "Chaldeans" (Χαλδαιων), as it is not at all reasonable to suppose that an oracle of Apollo would say that the Hebrews knew many paths which led to the knowledge of the Gods. It is probable, therefore, that either Aristobulus the Jew, well known for interpolating the writings of the heathens, or the wicked Eusebius, as he is called by the Emperor Julian, has fraudulently substituted the former word for the latter. The Oracle, with this emendation, will be in English as follows:

The path by which to deity we climb

Is arduous, rough, ineffable, sublime;

And the strong massy gates, through which we pass

In our first course, are bound with chains of brass.