Page:Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1827) Vol 2.djvu/142

 121. THE DECLINE AND FALL CHAP. XV. Weakness of poly- theism. another world, the claim of miracles, the practice of rigid virtue, and the constitution of the primitive church, that Christianity spread itself with so much success in the Roman empire. To the first of these the christians were indebted for their invincible valour, which disdained to capitulate with the enemy whom they were resolved to vanquish. The three succeeding causes supplied their valour with the most formidable arms. The last of these causes united their courage, directed their arms, and gave their efforts that irre- sistible weight, which even a small band of well trained and intrepid volunteers has so often possessed over an undisciplined multitude, ignorant of the subject, and careless of the event, of the war. In the various reli- gions of polytheism, some wandering fanatics of Egypt and Syria, who addressed themselves to the credulous superstition of the populace, were perhaps the only order of priests'" that derived their whole support and credit from their sacerdotal profession, and were very deeply affected by a personal concern for the safety or prosperity of their tutelar deities. The ministers of polytheism, both in Rome and in the provinces, were, for the most jiart, men of a noble birth, and of an afflu- ent fortune, who received, as an honourable distinc- tion, the care of a celebrated temple or of a public sacrifice, exhibited, very frequently at their own ex- pense, the sacred games", and with cold indifference performed the ancient rites, according to the laws and fashion of their country. As they were engaged in the ordinary occupations of life, their zeal and devotion were seldom animated by a sense of interest, or by the habits of an ecclesiastical character. Confined to their ■" The arts, the manners, and the vices of the priests of the Syrian god- dess, are very humorously described by Apuleius, in the eighth book of his Metamorphoses. " The office of Asiarch was of this nature ; and is frequently mentioned in Aristides, the Inscriptions, etc. It was annual and elective. None but the vainest citizens could desire the honour ; none but the most wealthy ^ould support the expense. See in the Patres Apostol. torn, ii. p. 200, with how much indifference Philip the Asiarch conducted himself in the martyr- dom of Polycarp. There were likewise Bithyniarchs, Lyciarchs, etc.