Marius the Epicurean
Описание книги
This novel is a practical guide through different philosophical teachings. A reader learns them by life examples of Marius's fictional personality, whose life sets him in other circumstances to test his changing beliefs. The story is based in Rome, where Greek philosophy and early Christianity live beside. A typical citizen could be closely familiar with Plato, Socrates, Epicurus, or Aristippus. A series of life events, the loss of a mother, studying at boarding school, disease, visiting Rome, and life at the court of Marcus Aurelius, the first acquaintance with Christianity, allows Marius to try out different philosophical teachings prove their flaws and merits. First, Marius is fascinated by epicureanism but thinks it lacks depth. Then, he is fascinated by stoicism but later sees it as too cruel. Finally, Marius comes to learn the doctrines of Christianity, which give him spiritual peace. This story could happen in Rome and is very interesting. It shows how different philosophical teachings can shape ordinary people's real-life routines and behavior now and then.
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Walter Pater. Marius the Epicurean
Marius the Epicurean
Table of Contents
Volume 1
PART THE FIRST
CHAPTER I: "THE RELIGION OF NUMA"
CHAPTER II: WHITE-NIGHTS
NOTE
CHAPTER III: CHANGE OF AIR
NOTE
CHAPTER IV: THE TREE OF KNOWLEDGE
CHAPTER V: THE GOLDEN BOOK
CHAPTER VI: EUPHUISM
CHAPTER VII: A PAGAN END
PART THE SECOND
CHAPTER VIII: ANIMULA VAGULA
CHAPTER IX: NEW CYRENAICISM
CHAPTER X: ON THE WAY
CHAPTER XI: "THE MOST RELIGIOUS CITY IN THE WORLD"
CHAPTER XII: THE DIVINITY THAT DOTH HEDGE A KING
CHAPTER XIII: THE "MISTRESS AND MOTHER" OF PALACES
CHAPTER XIV: MANLY AMUSEMENT
Volume 2
PART THE THIRD
CHAPTER XV: STOICISM AT COURT
CHAPTER XVI: SECOND THOUGHTS
CHAPTER XVII: BEATA URBS
CHAPTER XVIII: "THE CEREMONY OF THE DART"
CHAPTER XIX: THE WILL AS VISION
PART THE FOURTH
CHAPTER XX: TWO CURIOUS HOUSES
I. GUESTS
CHAPTER XXI: TWO CURIOUS HOUSES
II. THE CHURCH IN CECILIA'S HOUSE
CHAPTER XXII: "THE MINOR PEACE OF THE CHURCH"
CHAPTER XXIII: DIVINE SERVICE
NOTE
CHAPTER XXIV: A CONVERSATION NOT IMAGINARY
CHAPTER XXV: SUNT LACRIMAE RERUM
CHAPTER XXVI: THE MARTYRS
CHAPTER XXVII: THE TRIUMPH OF MARCUS AURELIUS
CHAPTER XXVIII: ANIMA NATURALITER CHRISTIANA
Отрывок из книги
Walter Pater
Published by
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And the bridegroom, whom still she knows not, warns her thus a second time, as he talks with her by night: "Seest thou what peril besets thee? Those cunning wolves have made ready for thee their snares, of which the sum is that they persuade thee to search into the fashion of my countenance, the seeing of which, as I have told thee often, will be the seeing of it no more for ever. But do thou neither listen nor make answer to aught regarding thy husband. Besides, we have sown also the seed of our race. Even now this bosom grows with a child to be born to us, a child, if thou but keep our secret, of divine quality; if thou profane it, subject to death." And Psyche was glad at the tidings, rejoicing in that solace of a divine seed, and in the glory of that pledge of love to be, and the dignity of the name of mother. Anxiously she notes the increase of the days, the waning months. And again, as he tarries briefly beside her, the bridegroom repeats his warning:
"Even now the sword is drawn with which thy sisters seek thy life. Have pity on thyself, sweet wife, and upon our child, and see not those evil women again." But the sisters make their way into the palace once more, crying to her in wily tones, "O Psyche! and thou too wilt be a mother! How great will be the joy at home! Happy indeed shall we be to have the nursing of the golden child. Truly if he be answerable to the beauty of his parents, it will be a birth of Cupid himself."
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