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Octavius (dialogue)
Octavius is an early writing in defense of Christianity by the Roman Marcus Minucius Felix. It is written in the form of a dialogue between the pagan Caecilius Natalis and the Christian Octavius Januarius, a provincial lawyer, the friend and fellow-student of the author. SummaryThe scene is pleasantly and graphically laid on the beach at Ostia on a holiday afternoon, and the discussion is represented as arising out of the homage paid by Caecilius, in passing, to the Cult image of Serapis. His arguments for paganism (possibly modelled on those of Celsus) are taken up one at a time by Octavius, with the result that the assailant is convinced. Minucius himself plays the part of umpire. The form of the dialogue is modelled on the De natura deorum and De divinatione of Cicero and its style is both vigorous and elegant if at times not exempt from something of the affectation of the age. AnalysisIts style is not of the typical Christian literature.[citation needed] If the doctrines of the Divine unity, the resurrection, divinization and afterlife are left out of the account, the work has less the character of an exposition of Christianity than of a philosophical and ethical polemic against the absurdities of polytheism.[citation needed] While it thus has much in common with the Greek Apologies it is full of the strong common sense that marks the Latin mind.[citation needed] Its ultimate appeal is to the fruits of faith.[citation needed] ManuscriptArnobius of Sicca's Adversus nationes survived in a single ninth-century manuscript in Paris (and a bad copy of it in Brussels).[1] The French manuscript also contains the Octavius of Marcus Minucius Felix.[2] LegacyThis work was referenced in 1751 by Pope Benedict XIV in his apostolic constitution 'Providas' against freemasonry by quoting Caecilius Natalis: 'Honest things always rejoice in the public, crimes are secret'. [3] Editions and TranslationsEditions
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