Sigalion in the Shield of Croesiades or Apologetic Dialogue for the Mystery of Detected Syncretism

"And when we come to be gods, then for the first time we began to war," etc. For before, when each consulted well for his own affairs, we undertook war; now, arguing among ourselves, let us attempt to return to our former grace: to return again to war, unless everyone is given his own. Although you ought to know that the council was not convened regarding private matters alone (if we are wise), but whether we can free the whole (Sicily) Crete from the Athenians who are lying in wait (as I judge). Therefore, it is necessary that private man with private man, and city with city, return to grace, and commonly give effort so that we may free Crete. Knowing that what is commonly fearful holds all in fear. Common fear, common safety; if we convene among ourselves in this fear, as soon as possible we will be freed, and thus not war will be settled by war, but discord by peace, with no effort. But peace, which all confess to be the best, how is it that it ought not to be made among us? Do you not think, just as some good is present, or if there are contrary things, that rest is preferable to war? So that departing from arms on both sides, we may preserve our things through rest, and enjoy honors, dignities, and other things through peace without danger. Let us dismiss the enemy threatening this region; and before all things, let us enter into an eternal pact among ourselves: if not, certainly, with a truce made for a very long time, let us defer private discords to another time. What? That even swine, who are in price and veneration among you, and who

Have lightning in their curved teeth, the wild boars,

come together into one when a wolf approaches. Let happiness and supreme security be the law. May your injuries be the care of the Gods: Only let the Republic stand, only let it flourish, filled with resources, glorious in victories, and, what is happier, let it be secure in peace. If you seek the name of the praised contract, it is SYNCRETISM: a heavenly gift! the palladium of Crete! go, let these ulcerated and almost savage spirits coalesce: here let them lay down their heats, who burn with Aeacid fires.

§. 6. Religion is the reason for which you went into parts, but if you will weigh the whole matter in a just scale, it will be apparent that the religion of all of you is one, the faith of our ancestors one, the symbol of all of you one, a celestial DIVINITY to be worshiped. You all conspire in this sentiment; by the secondary murmurs of individuals, this truth is established among you: concerning which I congratulate you, I rejoice for myself. But by what name is that DIVINITY to be called, by what genus of worship, by what manner, and by what terms of art is that manner to be explained? The fortunes of Crete or Greece do not turn on that. Let that be tossed back and forth in the schools, little by little, as much as possible, let it be transacted in a friendly manner. What are impeded in controversies, let them be expedited from the sense of our ancestors. Meanwhile, let everyone abound in his own sense privately and think with impunity and freely, tolerate the one thinking contrary, await the day on which all controversial matters are reduced to clarity by disputing. With me as advisor, you will bid morose contentions to be gone, you will dissolve factions: you will check the more audacious Demagogues of the parties: so that when these are ordered to be silent, it may be right to believe simply. You will conspire into one badge of religion. Thus, not being grievous and destructive to yourselves, you will be terrible to the foreign enemy. Although the schools may be dissenting, (aa) you will have common temples. Said and done! It was gone into the sentiment of Nestor the Cretan: applause from everywhere: the assembly was dissolved. It is pleasing now, what seems to be searched out for you, O Solon, by the Sun and Salt of Grecian wisdom? If it is not grave, what do you think of this Cretan institution, with that freedom of speech with which you have chastised my