Eusebius-Terrible things happened when a mother roasted her own son for food-49. HI,
22. Necessity compelled them to eat anything they could find, and they gathered and devoured things that were not fit even for the filthiest of irrational beasts. Finally they did not abstain even from their girdles and shoes, and they stripped the hides off their shields and devoured them. Some used even wisps of old hay for food, and others gathered stubble and sold the smallest weight of it for four Attic drachmæ. An Attic drachm, according to some authorities, was equal to about fifteen cents, according to others , to about nineteen cents.
23. But why should I speak of the shamelessness which was displayed during the famine toward inanimate things? For I am going to relate a fact such as is recorded neither by Greeks nor Barbarians; horrible to relate, incredible to hear. And indeed I should gladly have omitted this calamity, that I might not seem to posterity to be a teller of fabulous tales, if I had not innumerable witnesses to it in my own age. And besides, I should render my country poor service if I suppressed the account of the sufferings which she endured.
24. There was a certain woman named Mary that dwelt beyond Jordan, whose father was Eleazer, of the village of Bathezor Some MSS. have βαθεχώρ, and the MSS. of Josephus have βηθεζώβ, which Whiston translates Bethezub. She was distinguished for her family and her wealth, and had fled with the rest of the multitude to Jerusalem and was shut up there with them during the siege.
25. The tyrants had robbed her of the rest of the property which she had brought with her into the city from Perea. And the remnants of her possessions and whatever food was to be seen the guards rushed in daily and snatched away from her. This made the woman terribly angry, and by her frequent reproaches and imprecations she aroused the anger of the rapacious villains against herself.
26. But no one either through anger or pity would slay her; and she grew weary of finding food for others to eat. The search, too, was already become everywhere difficult, and the famine was piercing her bowels and marrow, and resentment was raging more violently than famine. Taking, therefore, anger and necessity as her counsellors, she proceeded to do a most unnatural thing.
27. Seizing her child, a boy which was sucking at her breast, she said, Oh, wretched child, in war, in famine, in sedition, for what do I pre141serve thee? Slaves among the Romans we shall be even if we are allowed to live by them. But even slavery is anticipated by the famine, and the rioters are more cruel than both. Come, be food for me, a fury for these rioters, In accordance with the idea that the souls of the murdered tormented, as furies, those who were most guilty of their death (Stroth). and a bye-word to the world, for this is all that is wanting to complete the calamities of the Jews.
28. And when she had said this she slew her son; and having roasted him, she ate one half herself, and covering up the remainder, she kept it. Very soon the rioters appeared on the scene, and, smelling the nefarious odor, they threatened to slay her immediately unless she should show them what she had prepared. She replied that she had saved an excellent portion for them, and with that she uncovered the remains of the child.
29. They were immediately seized with horror and amazement and stood transfixed at the sight. But she said This is my own son, and the deed is mine. Eat for I too have eaten. Be not more merciful than a woman, nor more compassionate than a mother. But if you are too pious and shrink from my sacrifice, I have already. All the MSS. of Eusebius read ὑμῶν. Some of the MSS. of Josephus read ἤδη, and Rufinus translates nam et ego prior comedi. Valesius, without MS. authority (but apparently with the support of some MSS. of Josephus, for Whiston translates one-half) reads ἥμισυ, a half, and he is followed by the English and German translators. Some change from the reading of the MSS. of Eusebius is certainly necessary; and though the alteration made by Valesius produces very good sense and seems quite natural, I have preferred to accept the reading which is given by many of the MSS. of Josephus, and which has the support of Rufinus. eaten of it; let the rest also remain for me.
30. At these words the men went out trembling, in this one case being affrighted; yet with difficulty did they yield that food to the mother. Forthwith the whole city was filled with the awful crime, and as all pictured the terrible deed before their own eyes, they trembled as if they had done it themselves.
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Eusebius- The Church became corrupt when people of Judah tribe became Bishops - Symeon - 58.by nijjhar1157 views
i would rather except death the to eat flesh this is so sad the china people do this iv seen how they jar unborn babys for sale as food the atomic war is close the fight has started over us helping there nabours as we speak god bless
gzyyy6 2 years ago