264 
completed by forty-eight triangles, being contained by eight 
equilateral ones. But it is likened to an octahedron, which is 
contained by eight equilateral triangles, each of which is 
divided into six right-angled ones, so that they are forty-eight 
in all. But water being contained by one hundred and twenty, 
is likened also to a figure of twenty sides, which consists of 
twenty-six equal and equilateral triangles. The air is composed 
of twelve equilateral pentagons, and is similar to a figure having 
twelve sides. Earth consists of forty-eight triangles, and is 
like a cube; for the cube is contained by six squares, each of 
which extends to four triangles ; so that all together are twenty- 
four. Thus Pythagoras measures the world. But Epicurus 
says to me, ‘You have only measured one w'orld; there are an 
endless number of worlds/ ” Well might Hermias be frightened 
at the prospect before him. So he hastens his brief treatise 
to a conclusion with the following sensible reflection: — “All 
things appear to be mixed up with the darkness of error, 
unprofitable fancies, and most lamentable ignorance ; utterly 
useless, unless, indeed, I intend to number the very atoms also 
out of which such great worlds are made. Thus, I have 
analyzed some of the doctrines of these Gentile philosophers, 
and have pointed out that the differences amongst them are 
unlimited ; for their end is useless, not being confirmed by one 
clear fact, nor supported by one sound argument.” * 
30. Justin has a singular passage on the subject of the 
Greeks having learnt some things from Scripture, which I 
cannot forbear quoting. “ I think,” he says, “ when you read 
even carelessly the history of Diodorus, you cannot fail to see 
that Orpheus, t Homer, Solon, Pythagoras, and Plato, when 
they had been in Egypt, and had taken advantage of the history 
of Moses, afterwards published doctrines concerning the gods 
quite contrary to those which they had formerly promulgated 
in error.” J 
31. Let us see how this is borne out by the “Orphic Frag- 
* Hermias’s Derision, &c., §§ 8, 9, 10. 
+ It is curious to see how Homer appears to refer to the Orphic cosmo- 
gony, which, according to Orpheus, is thus explained. Water was the 
beginning of all things ; from water mud was formed, and from both was 
produced an animal, a dragon with the head of a lion growing on it ; and 
between the two heads there was the face of a god named Heracles 
and Kronos. This Heracles generated an egg of enormous size, which burst 
in two on becoming full, the upper half becoming Heaven, and the lower 
part Earth. The goddess Earth had a body, and by marrying Heaven gave 
birth to children both male and female. (See Athenagoras’s Flea for the 
Christians, ch. xviii.) 
X Justin’s Address, c. xiv. 
