Alex’s Reviews > Tatian's Address to the Greeks > Status Update

He stresses that he had first-hand experiences, including in Rome. Coupled with his dismissal of taking the tales of the gods for mere allegory, this suggests that most Hellens really did take them literally.

"My object in referring to these women is, that you may not regard as something strange what you find among us, and that, comparing the statueswhich are before your eyes, you may not treat the women with scorn who among us pursue philosophy."

"But, forsooth, you will not believethat among us there are wise women!"

"As for those who wish to learn our philosophy, we do not test them by their looks, nor do we judge of those who come to us by their outward appearance; for we argue that there may be strength of mind in all, though they may be weak in body. But your proceedings are full of envy and abundant stupidity."

He claims the Romans supported pederasty.

"And what avails the Attic style, the sorites of philosophers, the plausibilities of syllogisms, the measurements of the earth, the positions of the stars, and the course of the sun? To be occupied in such inquiries is the work of one who imposes opinions on himself as if they were laws."
I really don't get Tatians problems with this, and I think he is mistaken on medicine.

"What injury do we inflict upon you, O Greeks? Why do you hate those who follow the word of God, as if they were the vilest of mankind? It is not we who eat human flesh — they among you who assert such a thing have been suborned as false witnesses; it is among you that Pelops is made a supper for the gods, although beloved by Poseidon, and Kronos devours his children, and Zeus swallows Metis."

He say he takes the existence of the demons literally, and says they are incapable of repentance.

Now, this sounded more like he did believe in temporal or eternal punishment in the afterlife. Hard for me to say more than that.

"On this account, if it continues solitary, it tends downward towards matter, and dies with the flesh; but, if it enters into union with the Divine Spirit, it is no longer helpless, but ascends to the regions whither the Spirit guides it: for the dwelling-place of the spirit is above, but the origin of the soul is from beneath."
Annihilationism? I am a bit confused, as he distinguishes between soul and spirit.

"Our free-will has destroyed us; we who were free have become slaves; we have been sold through sin. Nothing evil has been created by God; we ourselves have manifested wickedness; but we, who have manifested it, are able again to reject it."
Another proof that the proper Christian metaphysic is monistic.