St. Augustine, Of the citie of God vvith the learned comments of Io. Lod. Viues. Englished by I.H.

The reason why the Romaines, in their appointments of seuerall Goddes for euery thing and euery action, would needes place the Temple of Rest or Quiet with-out the Gates. CHAP. 16.

BVt I wonder much that the Romaines appointing particular goddes ouer euery thing, and almost euery motion, Agenoria, that stirred men to ac∣tion, Stimula (a) that forced them forward, (b) Murcia that neuer went out of her pace: And as (c) Pomponius saith, made men slouthfull, and disabled them from action, Strenua that made men resolute: Vnto all which goddes and goddesses they offered publike sacrifices, and kept sollemne feasts, Bee∣ing to dispose (d) of Quiet, the goddesse of Rest, her they onely vouchsafed a Temple without Port Collina, but allowed hir no publike honors at all in the cit∣ty. VVhether was this a signe of their vnquiet and turbulent spirits, or that

those who hadde such a rable of diuell-gods. No worship and reuerence, should neuer come to inioy that Rest, where-vnto the true Phsition inuiteth vs, Saying: Learne of me that I am meeke, Math. 11. 29. and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest vnto your soules. * 1.1

L. VIVES.

STimula (a) This may bee Horta, that in her life-time was called Hersilia, Romulus his wife; called Horta of exhorting men to action. Labeo. Her Temple was neuer shutte, to signifie * 1.2 that shee would neuer haue men idle: Shee was after called Hora, goddesse of Prouidence, of the Greeke word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to inforce. Plut. Of this goddesse, Ouid, Gellius and diuers others do speake. Murcia.] Hereof read Hermolaus Barbarus his note vpon Plinies 15. booke. Pliny. There was an old altar vnto Venus Myrta, now called Myrtia. (c) Hermolaus] I read it Murcia, * 1.3 out of Festus, Liuy, Plutarch, Varro and Cornelius Nepos. For Murcia is the goddesse of sloth as Agenorea, Strenua and Stimula are of industry: Pomponius, Augustinus & Apuleius speaking of the Murcian bounds, mean those that were dedicated vnto Venus. Some say that Auentine was * 1.4 called Murtius, because it was like a wal, Murus, not of Murcia the goddesse, nor the potters. Ammianus saith, there was som in Italy, that because they would not go to the war, cut of their thumbes, and were called Murci. Murcide, saith Plautus to a sluggish fellow. Thus far Her∣molaus, the most dilligent Author of our times. So that whereas Festus saith there was a Chap∣pell at Auentines foote sacred vnto Murcia, it is better to read Murciae. (Liu. lib. 1.) Then ma∣ny thousand of the Latins were receiued into the cittie and for the ioining of the two hilles Palatine and Auentine, were appointed to build thē houses by Murcias Chappell, Venus Murcia: ther was al∣so one called Myrtea. Plut. Problem. (c) Pompeius] Hermolaus, Beroaldus, and others cite Pom∣ponius herein, but shew not plainely which Pomponius it is, for there were many of that name, that were writers; as namely Atticus, and the Author of Atelanae, and the Orator (all of Tullies time) Mel•…•…, and Iulius the Tragedian, whome Quintilian names, and the Lawyer, all Pompon•…•…. (d) Quiet] I thinke this Quiet belonged to the dead, for Hell of old was called Quietalis, and therefore was this godde dis-worshipped without the citty. Her Temple was in the way to Labicana. (Liuie in his 4. book.)

Notes

• * 1.1

  Math. 11. 29.
• * 1.2

  Stimula.
• * 1.3

  Hora.
• * 1.4

  •…•…urcia.