Insolence of the Great Mother’s Son (1)

Text
Arnobius of Sicca, Adversus nationes 5.6:
When in the councils of the gods the question was brought up again and again how his insolence could be either tamed or suppressed, Liber, the rest holding back, takes the task upon himself. With most potent wine he fortifies a spring which that fellow knew well and where he had been wont to slake his burning thirst roused by sport and hunting. On an occasion when he felt the need of it, Acdestis runs hither to drink. He gulps down an immoderate draught into his eager veins. Overcome by this unaccustomed experience, he sinks into a most profound sleep. Liber lurks nearby in ambush. Over his foot he casts the end of a noose woven cunningly of hairs. When the power of the wine had been slept off, he jumps up violently and, straining hard on the knots he himself, by his own strength, robs himself of that by which he had been . There is an immense flow of blood; this is snatched up and swallowed by the earth; thence suddenly is born a pomegranate tree with apples.

Source (list of abbreviations) (source links will open in a new browser window)
Arnobius of Sicca, Adversus nationes 5.6

Bibliography

Amar Annus

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