Arnobius of Sicca (Full Script)

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Arnobius of Sicca

Post-Apostolic Church

INTRO

Arnobius lived in Sicca, or modern day El Kef, Tunisia around AD 303.

Lactantius was a student of Arnobius.

WORKS

Arnobius used a lot of sarcasm to show the absurdities of various heretical teachings.  For example, Arnobius had this to say about the food and drink given to idols.

If you have confidence in what is done, disclose [it], point out why that liquor is offered; that is, why wine is poured on the altars.  For do the bodies of the deities feel parching thirst, and is it necessary that their dryness be tempered by some moisture?  Are they accustomed, as men are, to combine eating and drinking?  In like manner, also, after the [giving of the] solid food of cakes and pottages, and victims slain in honour of them, do they drench themselves, and make themselves merry with very frequent cups of wine, that their food may be more easily softened, and thoroughly digested?  I beg [you], give to the immortal gods drink; bring forth goblets, bowls, ladles, and cups.  And as they stuff themselves with bulls, and luxurious feasts, and rich food, [give them drink]—lest some piece of flesh hastily gulped down should stick in passing through the stomach.  Run up, hasten, give pure wine to Jupiter, the most excellent, the supreme, lest he chokes.  He desires to break wind, and is unable.  And unless that hindrance passes away and is dissolved, there is very great danger that his breathing will be stopped and interrupted, and heaven [would] be left desolate without its rulers.  (Arnobius.  AD 303.  ANF, vol 6, page 529.)