Ambrose and Symmachus

Ambrose and Symmachus Symmachus' Memorial to the Emperors (Valentinian, Theodosius, and Arcadius) Plea for the Restoration of Paganism ●​ Symmachus, Prefect of Rome, petitions the emperors. ○​ Requests restoration of the Altar of Victory in the Senate House. ○​ Argues that ancient customs should be preserved. ○​ Claims the treasury would not suffer losses. ○​ Decries the removal of privileges from Vestal Virgins and pagan priests. Defense of Roman Traditions ●​ Appeals to the authority of tradition: ○​ Past emperors upheld the old religion. ○​ Argues that religious change contradicts Rome’s historical strength. ●​ Asserts that Rome's prosperity was linked to its gods: ○​ Pagan rites repelled Hannibal and other invaders. ○​ Rome’s past victories were due to divine favor. ●​ Warns that breaking from tradition could harm the empire. Opposition to Christian Influence ●​ Criticizes Christian opposition to the altar: ○​ Claims removing it damages the unity of the Senate. ○​ Argues that oath-taking in the Senate House loses legitimacy without the altar. ●​ Calls for religious tolerance: ○​ Says Rome should not force one religious path on all. ○​ Believes different gods are assigned to different cities and peoples. ●​ Links Christian policy to recent famine: ○​ Suggests the gods punished Rome for removing their honors. ○​ Argues that abandoning religious obligations led to poor harvests. Ambrose's Reply to Symmachus Introduction ●​ Ambrose writes to Emperor Valentinian. ○​ Expresses confidence in Valentinian’s Christian faith. ○​ Requests a formal response to Symmachus' petition. Rebuttal of Rome’s Appeal to Tradition ●​ Dismisses Rome's claim that pagan rites secured past victories: ○​ Points out that Hannibal reached Rome’s gates despite the gods. ○​ Notes that a goose, not divine intervention, saved the Capitol from invasion. ●​ Questions the efficacy of pagan gods: ○​ If pagan gods helped Rome, why did they allow Carthage’s downfall? ○​ Argues that Roman victories were due to military strength, not divine favor. Christianization of the Empire ●​ Asserts that Rome’s success came through discipline, not sacrifices: ○​ Cites leaders like Camillus and Scipio Africanus. ●​ Rejects the claim that Rome is mourning the loss of its gods: ○​ Imagines Rome saying it was not its gods but its armies that ensured victory. ●​ Criticizes the immorality of pagan rites: ○​ Says Rome should abandon "the rites of Nero" and other corrupt leaders. Rejection of the Altar of Victory ●​ Opposes placing a pagan altar in a Christian-dominated Senate: ○​ Calls it an insult to the Christian faith. ○​ Rejects forcing Christian senators to be present at pagan sacrifices. ●​ Warns against syncretism: ○​ Christians pray for the emperor to Christ, not to pagan gods. ○​ A Christian emperor should not be forced to uphold pagan rites. Opposition to Restoring Pagan Priests’ Privileges ●​ Criticizes state funding for Vestal Virgins and pagan priests: ○​ Points out that their privileges do not produce virtue. ○​ Contrasts their small numbers with the large number of Christian virgins who live in chastity without financial incentives. ●​ Argues that Christian priests are denied even basic inheritance rights: ○​ Points out that Christian clergy cannot receive legacies or property. ○​ Notes the injustice that Christian priests are treated worse than pagan priests. Rejection of the Famine Argument ●​ Refutes claim that famine resulted from neglect of pagan rites: ○​ Notes that nature, not religion, determines harvests. ○​ Challenges why the gods only punished Rome after centuries of Christian growth. ●​ Highlights the prosperity of Christian lands: ○​ Gaul and Pannonia had bountiful harvests. ○​ The famine was not universal, proving it was not divine punishment. ●​ Mocks pagan fears: ○​ If the gods punished Rome, why did they not avenge their own neglected temples? ○​ Argues that the famine was a natural event, not religious retribution. The Superiority of Christian Progress ●​ Asserts that Christianity represents moral and social progress: ○​ The world itself has advanced; so should religion. ○​ Faith brings light to the mind, just as the sun brings light to the world. ●​ Compares Christianity’s growth to the changing seasons: ○​ Faith, like spring, replaces the old winter of ignorance. ●​ Criticizes the adoption of foreign deities in pagan Rome: ○​ Notes how Rome embraced foreign gods like Cybele and Isis. ○​ Questions why Rome welcomed conquered gods but opposes Christian truth. Final Arguments Against Paganism ●​ Rejects the idea that Victory is a deity: ○​ Victory is a result of military strength, not divine intervention. ○​ Challenges the logic of deifying an abstract concept. ●​ Warns against compromising Christian faith: ○​ A Christian emperor should not be forced to restore pagan worship. ○​ The Senate should not be subjected to pagan ceremonies. ●​ Concludes with a warning against returning to old superstitions: ○​ The world has moved forward, and religion should follow. ○​ The light of Christ has replaced the darkness of paganism.