And, since such a discrepancy exists where it ought not to be, I am at a loss whom to call a Greek. But, as matters stand, to you alone it has happened not to speak alike even in common intercourse for the way of speaking among the Dorians is not the same as that of the inhabitants of Attica, nor do the Æolians speak like the Ionians. But it becomes a man of sense to wait for the testimony of others, and it becomes men to be of one accord also in the pronunciation of their language. Wherefore lay aside this conceit, and be not ever boasting of your elegance of diction for, while you applaud yourselves, your own people will of course side with you. The Tyrrhenians invented the trumpet the Cyclopes, the smith's art and a woman who was formerly a queen of the Persians, as Hellanicus tells us, the method of joining together epistolary tablets: her name was Atossa. The Tuscans taught you the plastic art from the annals of the Egyptians you learned to write history you acquired the art of playing the flute from Marsyas and Olympus - these two rustic Phrygians constructed the harmony of the shepherd's pipe. Orpheus, again, taught you poetry and song from him, too, you learned the mysteries. Cease, then, to miscall these imitations inventions of your own. To the Babylonians you owe astronomy to the Persians, magic to the Egyptians, geometry to the Phœnicians, instruction by alphabetic writing. For which of your institutions has not been derived from the Barbarians? The most eminent of the Telmessians invented the art of divining by dreams the Carians, that of prognosticating by the stars the Phrygians and the most ancient Isaurians, augury by the flight of birds the Cyprians, the art of inspecting victims. The Greeks Claim, Without Reason, the Invention of the Artsīe not, O Greeks, so very hostilely disposed towards the Barbarians, nor look with ill will on their opinions. Includes the Catholic Encyclopedia, Church Fathers, Summa, Bible and more all for only $19.99. Please help support the mission of New Advent and get the full contents of this website as an instant download.
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