CONTENTS xi 



CHAP. PAGE 



XXXIV. Mistaken views as to the relation of lightning to other 

 presages. The former are of equal, not superior, value . . 82 



XXXV. Fate cannot be changed by expiation and entreaty . . 83 



XXXVI. &quot; God is not a man &quot; that he should change fate. What is 



the use, then, of rites ?........ 84 



XXXVII. Answer Fate fixes some things only conditionally: the 

 alternative issues are determined by the conduct, active or 

 passive, of the worshipper ....... 84 



XXXVIII. This action of his is likewise a part of fate. The sooth 

 sayer, like the physician, is the minister of fate. Discussion of 



free will deferred 85 



XXXIX. Three classes or kin 3s of thunderbolts, as judged by their 

 indications, according to Caecina ...... 86 



XL. These are kinds of prognostications rather than of bolts. The 

 different species of the latter are distinguished by their effects 

 boring, splitting, burning. Fine distinctions of Latin terms . 87 



XLI. A kind that stains or discolours. The Etruscan view of the 



three kinds of bolt according to their division .... 88 



XLII. The Etruscans knew what they were about in attributing 

 certain motives and actions to Jupiter. Their theory was for the 

 benefit of the ignorant mass of humanity ..... 89 



XLIII. &quot;Which things are an allegory.&quot; An example is set to 



earthly rulers to be merciful and consider well their judgments . 90 



XLIV. Jove does not change his missiles ; but there are gradations in 



the offence to be punished. That is the lesson . . . 91 



XLV. By Jove the Etruscans meant, as we do, all that is greatest and 



best Fate, Providence, Nature, the Universe . . . . 91 



XLVI. He is the source of the thunder s power, though he does not 

 superintend each stroke. Why he spares the guilty is another 

 affair, which will be discussed in another place .... 92 



XLVII. An erroneous classification of thunderbolts according to time 92 



XLVIII. It must be wrong, because the time is always limited. A 

 better basis of treatment is that of Attalus. Place, time, person, 

 etc., must all be looked into ....... 93 



XLIX. Caecina s division, his names and their meanings ... 94 



L. That of Attalus is much better, being based on the true significa 

 tion ........... 95 



LI. The signification of some does not affect, of some does not 



reach, us .......... 95 



LII. The force of lightning as seen in different materials, and at 



different times in the same material (cf. xxxi.) .... 96 



LI 1 1. Poisonous effects : may be followed up afterwards. Panegyric 



on philosophy ......... 97 



LIV. Returns to Posidonius (Aristotle s) opinion as to the cause of 



thunder, an explosion of air . . . . . . . 98 



LV. The collision of clouds may produce it. Air is the cause in this 

 instance also. Shooting stars are associated with thunder, but 

 this is the exception, not the rule . . . . . . 98 



