21. They say that Antiochus
of Cyzicum took from its shrine a statue of Jupiter made of gold
ten47234723 cubits
high, and set up in its place one made of copper covered with
thin plates of gold. If the gods are present, and dwell in their
own images, with what business, with what cares, had Jupiter been
entangled that he could not punish the wrong done to himself, and
avenge his being substituted in baser metal? When the famous
Dionysius—but it was the younger47244724—despoiled Jupiter of his golden
vestment, and put instead of it one of wool, and, when mocking
him with pleasantries also, he said that that which he was
taking away was cold in the frosts of winter, this warm, that that
one was cumbrous in summer, that this, again, was airy in hot
weather,—where was the king of the world that he did not show his
presence by some terrible deed, and recall the jocose buffoon to
soberness by bitter torments? For why should I mention that the
dignity of Æsculapius was mocked by him? For when Dionysius
was spoiling him of his very ample beard, which was of great
weight and philosophic thickness,47254725 he said that it was not right that a
son sprung from Apollo, a father smooth and beardless, and very like a
mere boy,47264726 should be
formed with such a beard that it was left uncertain which of them was
father, which son, or rather whether they were of the same47274727 race and
family. Now, when all these things were being done, and the
robber was speaking with impious mockery, if the deity was concealed in
the statue consecrated to his name and majesty, why did he not punish
with just and merited vengeance the affront of stripping his face of
its beard and disfiguring his countenance, and show by this, both that
he was himself present, and that he kept watch over his temples and
images without ceasing?