distinguishing mark between the civilized man and the barbarian.
The example thus set by the Apostle was followed by the early fathers of the church. Eusebius[1] and Clemens Alexandrinus[2] quote this same passage; and Aratus appears to have been a favorite author with Christians as well as Heathen[3].
Cicero remarks: "Aratum hominem ignarum Astrologiæ ornatissimis atque optimis versibus de coelo et stellis scripsisse;" thus highly praising his poetical talents, but disparaging his astronomical science. Cicero's remark is thus far true: Aratus might not make the observations himself, but study and adopt the notions of Eudoxus, in the same manner as Cicero himself, who was proud of his own astronomical knowledge, obtained it from writers upon the subject. Aratus was certainly a proficient in astronomy, as far as the science had advanced in his times. It is not to be expected that in all his statements he should he minutely accurate, for he is
- ↑ Euseb. Evang. Præf. Lib. xiii.
- ↑ Clem. Alex. Strom. Lib. v.
- ↑ On the revival of literature in the fifteenth century several editions of Aratus were published. In 1521, Philip Melancthon edited the Phenomena with a Latin version and preface. In 1600, Hugo Grotius published the Phenomena and Diosemeia with Cicero's translation into Latin hexameters, interpolating the lost passages. He added the versions of Germanicus and Avienus, with notes upon the whole, and a learned dissertation on the Arabic, Hebrew, Greek and Latin names of the constellations and stars. The best modern edition of Aratus is that of Professor Buhle, in 2 Vols, octavo.
