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The Apologia and Florida of Apuleius of Madaura

Apuleius of Madaura · c. 158–161 CE (composed after the Oea trial; includes the Apologia and related Florida orations, with the Florida pieces composed across the 160s) primary

passage 121 of 141 · CHAPTER 1. *Claudius Maximus*, proconsul of Africa, is spoken of as having succeeded Lollianus Avitus. Lollianus Avitus was consul in 144

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Socrates. Cp. Diog. Laert. ii. 5, 33.

Demosthenes and Plato. Cp. Quint. xii. 2. 22 and 10. 23.

Eubulides, a sophist of Miletus. Cp. Diog. Laert. ii. 10. 4.

the orator when he wrangles, &c. The pun on iurgari, 'wrangles,' and obiurgari, 'rebukes,' can scarcely be reproduced. 'Disproves' and 'disapproves' would weaken the translation.

Epicurus of Samos, born 342 B.C. For his views on vision cp. Lucret. iv. 156, on mirrors, 293.

Plato. Cp. Timaeus, p. 46 A, 'Within the eyes they (the gods) planted that variety of fire which does not burn, but it is called light homogeneous with the light without. We are enabled to see in the daytime, because the light within our eyes pours out through the centre of them and commingles with the light without. The two being thus confounded together transmit movements from every object they touch through the eye inward to the soul, and thus bring about the sensation of the sight.' Grote's Plato iii. 265.

Archytas of Tarentum, a Pythagorean (circa 400 B.C.). The Stoics--believed that sight consisted in a refined fluid or visual effluence proceeding from the central intelligence through the eyes. 'In the process of seeing, the [Greek: horatikon pneuma] (visual effluence) coming into the eyes from the [Greek: hegemonikon] (central intelligence) gives a spherical form to the air before the eye by virtue of its [Greek: tonike kinesis] (i.e. the tension it sets up), and by means of the sphere of air comes in contact with things; and since by this process rays of light emanate from the eye, darkness must be visible.' Zeller, The Stoics, Epicureans, and Sceptics, p. 209, note. Cp. Plut. Plac. Phil. iv. 15.

B.C.

Carbo, consul 85-82 B.C., one of the leaders of the Marian party and the chief opponent of Sulla after Marius' death.

Manius Curius. See note on chap. 10.

Marcus Cato, consul in 195 B.C., conducted a successful campaign in Spain in that and the following year.

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The Apologia and Florida of Apuleius of Madaura · Apuleius of Madaura · 155–169