Jovinian: A Story of the Early Days of Papal Rome Read online

  Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England

  JovinianA Story of the Early Days of Papal RomeBy WuHuGu KingstonPublished by Hodder and Stoughton, London..This edition dated 1890.

  Jovinian, by W.H.G. Kingston.

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  ________________________________________________________________________JOVINIAN, BY W.H.G. KINGSTON.

  CHAPTER ONE.

  THE TWO PONTIFFS.

  The glorious sun rose in undimmed splendour on a morning in the earlypart of the fourth century over everlasting Rome, his rays glancing oncountless temples, statues, columns, and towers, on long lines ofaqueducts and other public edifices, and on the proud mansions of thepatricians which covered the slopes and crowned the summits of her sevenhills. The populace were already astir, bent on keeping holiday, for agrand festival was about to be held in honour of Jupiter Optimus Maximusand his two associate divinities Juno and Minerva. The flamens, withtheir assistants, and the vestal virgins, aided by many fair patricianmatrons and maidens eager to show their piety and to gain the favour ofthe gods, had been labouring all night in decorating the temples; andalready the porticoes and the interior columns appeared adorned withwreaths and festoons of green leaves and gay flowers; while wax tapersin silver candlesticks, on countless shrines, had been prepared forlighting at the appointed moment. At the entrance of each temple,either fixed in the wall or standing on a tripod, was anacquiminarium,--a basin of silver or gold, freshly filled to the brimwith holy-water, with which salt had been united; a minor flamen inwhite robes, with brush in hand, standing ready to sprinkle any whomight desire the purging process. Others of their fraternity were busyhanging up in the temples of Aesculapius votive offerings--in the shapeof arms, legs, and other parts of the human body, representing the limbsof his worshippers, which by his powerful instrumentality had beenrestored to health. Bands of musicians with a variety of instruments,and dancers in scanty dresses, were moving about singing and playing,and exhibiting their terpsichorean performances before the temples andminor shrines erected at the corners of the principal highways. Thefronts of the shrines were, like the temples, adorned with wreaths offlowers; while tapers, in horn lanterns, burned before them. Swarmsalso of mendicant priests, habited in coarse robes, with shaven crowns,and huge sacks at their backs, were parading the streets going fromhouse to house begging for doles, and holding up small images of thegods to be adored by the ignorant populace; never failing to bestowtheir heaviest maledictions on those who refused them alms, cursing themas Christian atheists.

  It was yet early when two persons, quitting the Curia Hostilia at thefoot of the Coelian Hill, took their way past the magnificent FlavianAmphitheatre towards the Sacra Via. Their costume was alike, andconsisted of a fine toga, with a deep purple border, and on the head anapex--a conical cap surmounted by a spike of olive-wood--which showedthem to belong to the Holy College of the Pontiffs. The dress of theelder of the two had, in addition, stripes of purple, marking hissuperior rank. To prevent their togas from being soiled by the dust onthe road, they had drawn them up under their right shoulders, so as toallow the skirts to hang gracefully over their left arms, exhibiting therichly-embroidered thongs which secured their sandals. They passedonward with a dignified and haughty air. Both were fine-looking men.The elder possessed a handsome countenance; his firm-set mouth, highbrow, and keen piercing eyes, showed determination and acuteness ofintellect, though at the same time the expression was rather repulsivethan pleasing. His companion's features were less handsome, and itmight have been seen at a glance that he was fond of the good things oflife.

  They had nearly reached the colossal statue of Nero--now wearing thehead of Apollo, placed on it by Vespasian instead of that of thetyrant--which towered almost as high as the lofty walls of theamphitheatre. After having hitherto kept silence, absorbed in his ownthoughts, the elder pontiff addressed the younger.

  "We shall triumph still, Gaius, though, by the Immortals, theseChristians have made fearful progress of late. They swarm in this city,and even, as I hear, throughout every part of the world; for since thetime when the Emperor Diocletian wisely resolved to put them down, bydestroying the places where they met to worship, preventing their secretassemblies, and burning their books, they have once more risen in anaudacious manner and walk about with all the airs of freedmen. I hopeere long to see the arena of the amphitheatre again filled with theatheists, struggling unarmed against the wild beasts let in on them, totear them limb from limb. I well remember many such a scene. Thepopulace delight in it even more than in the games of Carinus, themagnificent displays of the Naumachia, or even than in the combats of athousand gladiators. The exhibition we have prepared for to-day will domuch, I suspect, to win back the fickle multitude to the worship of thegods. The ignorant naturally delight in gorgeous shows and spectaclesof all sorts, incapable as they are of comprehending the refinements ofphilosophy; and when they benefit by the flesh of the victimsdistributed among them, they will, depend on it, be strong advocates forthe continuance of sacrifices to the gods."

  "I hope, Coecus, that we shall succeed, but in truth these Christianshave hitherto shown a wonderful amount of obstinacy, not only inadhering to their mysteries, but in propagating them in all directions.I cannot understand their faith--without even a visible representationof a God before which to bow down, or a single object for the eye to fixon," observed the younger pontiff. "I know, however, something abouttheir belief; but even were I not a pontiff I should object to it. Inaddition to the hatred they display towards the ancient religion, theywould deprive us poor mortals of all the pleasures of life. They railagainst rich viands and generous wines; and, by Bacchus, were they tohave their way, the gods and, what is of more consequence, we theirpriests, would no longer be supported, and these our magnificent templeswould fall to decay. Still, I confess that, would they consent toworship publicly before the shrines of the gods, they might, as far as Iam concerned, practise their rites in secret, and attend, as they arewont to do, to the sick and suffering. I have less hatred for them thancontempt."

  "For my part, I hate them with an undying hatred, if it is of theaccursed Nazarenes you speak, Gaius," said Coecus, gnashing his teeth.

  "You speak, Coecus, of these Nazarenes with less than your usualphilosophical calmness," observed the younger pontiff.

  "I have cause to do so; one of the vile wretches dared to cross my pathand rob me of a jewel I valued more than life itself," exclaimed theelder pontiff, his eyes flashing and his lips quivering with rage."While yet the hot blood of youth coursed through my veins, I met thebeautiful Eugenia, daughter of the patrician Gentianus, at an exhibitionof the Naumachia. To see her once was to love, to adore her: in graceand beauty she surpassed Venus herself; in majesty of form she wasJuno's rival; while on her brow sate the calm dignity of Minerva. Isoon obtained an introduction to Gentianus; and though I found himsomewhat reserved, I had reason to believe that he was not unfavourableto my suit. Eugenia, aware of the admiration she had excited, receivedme kindly, and I did everything I could think of to gain her goodgraces. Matters were progressing favourably, when I perceived a changein her and her father. I was admitted as before, but her manner becamecold and distant, and Gentianus no longer looked on me with a favourableeye. I discovered, as I believed, the cause. A rival had appeared,Severus by name, a stranger in Rome; not in good looks, in figure, ormanners to be compared to me. I watched Severus with a jealous eye, andemployed spies to track his footsteps. I learnt that he attended thesecret meetings of the Nazarenes. He had, in truth, a soft and silverytongue, a
nd by his art and eloquence had won over Eugenia and Gentianusto his accursed faith. Still, knowing that wealth is all-potent in Romeas elsewhere, I resolved to demand the hand of Eugenia of her father.He neither refused nor accepted my offer, but, instead, endeavoured toexplain to me the doctrines of the new faith. Astonished, I bluntlyasked whether he had himself adopted them, `I have,' he replied, `and asa Christian I could not allow my daughter to wed an idolater!'--for sohe dared to call me. I dissembled my anger while he continued speaking,decrying the immortal gods, and endeavouring to induce me to adopt thetenets of his religion. It may have been, at that time, that Severuswas not, as I supposed, affianced to Eugenia; but ere long they werebetrothed, and she ultimately became his wife. Still, I could notabandon all hope of winning her--a dagger might end her husband's life--and while brooding over my disappointment, and seeking for some means ofgratifying my love and revenge, the edict of Diocletian against theChristians was promulgated. Numbers of the fanatics were seized, andonce more the Flavian Amphitheatre witnessed their tortures and death--some compelled to do battle with trained gladiators, others, naked andunarmed, to struggle with ferocious lions. The time for which I yearnedhad now arrived. I fully expected to get the hated Severus and hisfather-in-law, Gentianus, into my power, resolving not to rest till Ihad given the former over to the wild beasts, and compelled the old manto renounce his creed and consent to his daughter becoming my bride.Believing that their capture was certain, I set off with a band offaithful followers, and surrounded their house; but on breaking open thedoor, what was my rage to discover that my intended prey had fled! Isent emissaries, under various disguises, to every part of the city tosearch for them; I ascertained, however, that scarcely an hour before Ivisited their house, they had left it, and made their way out of thecity towards the entrance of those numerous galleries hewn in thesand-rock far down beneath the surface of the earth. Not to bedefeated, I ordered a trusty band to search for the fugitives in thosesubterranean regions, but having no wish to descend to Avernus before mytime, I myself remained outside. My people were some time away; theycame back at length, dragging four or five trembling wretches of themeaner sort, while their swords were dripping with the blood of severalothers they had slain. Whether or not the chief quarry had escaped, Iwas left in doubt, as they brought no token to prove who were those whohad fallen, and they vowed that they would not return to run the risk oflosing their way and perishing miserably amid the labyrinthine passagesof that underground region. The shades of evening compelled me at lastto return to the city with the wretched prisoners who had been captured,and I registered a vow at the shrine of Bellona that I would wreak myvengeance on the heads of Gentianus and Severus should I ever get theminto my power. In vain, however, did I seek for Eugenia and her father:they had either made their escape from the neighbourhood of Rome or hadcarefully concealed themselves underground. I had good reason, however,ere long to know that the latter was the case. I have since in vainsearched for them; concealed by their fellow-religionists, they haveeluded my vigilance. That abominable edict which our politic emperorissued at Milan, allowing the Christians to enjoy their religion inpeace, made me abandon all expectation of being able to wreak myvengeance on the head of Severus by open means, though I still cherishedthe hope that he would come forth from his hiding-place, when theassassin's dagger would quickly have finished his career and given me mystill-beloved Eugenia. Still, I have reason to believe that they are inexistence, and that Gentianus, knowing that I am not likely to break myvow, is afraid to issue from his concealment; notwithstanding that onthe revocation of the edicts by Maxentius the Nazarenes have generallyventured forth from their hiding-places. They have, indeed, since then,in vast numbers, appeared in public, openly declaring their creed, anddiligently endeavouring to obtain proselytes from all classes,--thusdaringly showing their hatred and contempt of the gods whose priests weare. It is high time, indeed, since the emperors no longer care topreserve the ancient faith, that we should be up and doing, and if wecannot employ open means, should by craft and subtlety put a stop to thepernicious system. What say you, Gaius?"

  "I can fully enter into your feelings," observed Gaius. "I myself havebeen crossed more than once by these Nazarenes; although, were it notthat our order is in some peril, I confess that I have felt no greatantipathy to them. Indeed, some years ago, my only sister Livia becameindoctrinated with their opinions, and married one of them. He wasseized, and died, with many hundreds more, in yonder arena but sheescaped, and disappeared for some years from sight. I again at lengthmet her, reduced to great distress, supported, I believe, by herco-religionists; but so poverty-stricken were they that they couldafford her but the common necessaries of life. She was a sweet andgentle creature and, though I condemned her heresy, I had not the heartto leave her to perish. You will say, Coecus, that I should have beenmore stoical, but I had a motive which will excuse me in your sight.She had an only child, a handsome boy, the young Jovinian, who remindedme of her in the days of her youth and beauty. Once, too. I shouldhave said, she tended me when I was sick, and might have died, in spiteof all the offerings my friends made to Aesculapius, and the skill ofthe physicians who attended me, had it not been for her watchful care.Gratitude induced me to visit her; I procured the best assistancemedical skill could afford; but whether it was counteracted by thevisits of her Nazarene friends I know not,--so the gods willed it, shegradually sank. Her only thoughts seemed to be about the welfare of herboy, and in spite of all the offers I made to give him a collegeeducation befitting his patrician rank--for his father was of our orderas well as his mother--and to watch over his advancement in life, shewould not yield him to me, but preferred rather to confide him to thecare of a miserable poverty-stricken relative, who was the meansoriginally of her perversion from the ancient faith. Visiting her oneday, I found her boy with her. She was evidently much worse. In vain Iendeavoured to console her: she breathed her last shortly afterwards.It was truly piteous to hear the child calling on her to speak to him.At length, discovering the truth, he sank fainting over her inanimatebody. I took him in my arms, and, in spite of his struggles, bore himaway, intending to send the Libertinarii to arrange for poor Livia'sfuneral. Wrapping him in a lacerna, and shrouding his head in the hoodto stifle his cries, I committed him to the slaves in attendanceoutside, who carried him off to our college, where he could be welllooked after. As they bore him along the narrow streets severalpersons, who were, I suspect, Nazarenes, looked out from the overhangingbalconies to watch us. My object was to prevent my relative Amuliusfrom discovering what had become of the boy. I had little doubt that Ishould soon reconcile him to the change, and teach him to worship thegods of his fathers. I have had, I must own, more difficulty than I hadexpected. He was continually talking of his mother, but not with thesorrow I should have anticipated, as he seemed satisfied that she was inthe realms of bliss--a glorious place in which she had taught him tobelieve,--while he offered petitions to some unknown being to help andsupport him, and to keep him faithful to the creed with which she hadindoctrinated his young mind. It seemed surprising that at so early anage he should be so determined in his belief. He, indeed, as Iunderstood him, prayed continually to an Almighty God, to whom he couldapproach boldly by the intercession of One he called Jesus, without theintervention of demigod or priests. I gained more knowledge of theextraordinary faith of the Nazarenes from the young boy than I hadhitherto possessed. It seems wonderfully simple. They believe that oneAlmighty God rules the universe; that man was placed on the earth freeto accept or reject this mighty God, but bound to obedience; that beingdisobedient, he and all his descendants have become prone to sin, butyet this Almighty Being, loving men, sent One, a portion of Himself,down on earth, born of a woman; who, offering Himself as a sacrifice fortheir sins, was put to death on the accursed Cross, thus satisfying theAlmighty's justice, the guiltless One being punished instead of theguilty. Thus all who believe on Him are considered free from sin andreconciled to
the great Being whom, by their sins, they have offended.Can you understand this doctrine, Coecus?"

  "Not in the slightest degree," answered the pontiff, who had been payingbut little attention to what his companion was saying, his mind beingengaged on projects for the maintenance of his order, which he had goodreason to fear was in danger. "It is to me incomprehensible."

  "So, by Bacchus, it is to me, though I understand with tolerableclearness the principles of the system," observed Gaius. "What Igreatly object to in it is, that these Nazarenes seem to require nopriests nor sacrifices, and worship without any forms or ceremonies, asthey declare that this Jesus is their sole priest, and that He is at theright hand of their great God, pleading His own sacrifice, whereby alltheir sins were purged away. I have done my utmost, I should say, as induty bound, to drive such notions out of the mind of my nephew. Iforgot to mention that after I had made such arrangements for thefuneral of my sister as became her rank, when the Libertinarii arrivedwith the slaves to wash and anoint the body, to place a coin on itsmouth to pay the ferryman in Hades, and to plant a branch of cypress atthe door of the house in which she died, it was found that the Nazareneshad removed it, in order to inter it according to their own rites, someway without the city, instead of allowing it to be carried, as I shouldhave wished, on a handsome praetrum, followed by mourners and bands ofmusic, to the bustum, there to be consumed on the funeral pyre."

  "It matters little what became of the poor dame; she must have been aweak creature," observed Coecus, in a supercilious tone, re-arrangingthe folds of his toga and walking on.