Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Ratel · 12-10-2003, 09:32 PM

I was reading some bits of Plutarch's Lives The section on Romulus relates a tale that he disappeared and it was promulgated among the yokels that he had been assumed into heaven and was now a god. There is also an interesting account, included for its similarity, I suppose, of Aristeas dying in a fuller's workshop, and his body disappearing, and some of his friends claiming to have met him on the road to Croton.

Plutarch apparently wrote ca. 75 AD, so I suppose that would make him too late to be used as source by "Mark"- does anyone know if these stories related by Plutarch were set in writing by an earlier source? Thanks.

Here are the relevant snippets, from http://classics.mit.edu/Plutarch/romulus.html

Quote:

it came to pass that, as he was haranguing the people without the city, near a place called the Goat's Marsh, on a sudden strange and unaccountable disorders and alterations took place in the air; the face of the [!] sun was darkened,[!] and the day turned into night,

.....

Quote:

The tempest being over and the light breaking out, when the people gathered again, they missed and inquired for their king; the senators suffered them not to search, or busy themselves about the matter, but commanded them to honour and worship Romulus as one taken up to the gods, and about to be to them, in the place of a good prince, now a propitious god. The multitude, hearing this, went away believing and rejoicing in hopes of good things from him; but there were some, who, canvassing the matter in a hostile temper, accused and aspersed the patricians, as men that persuaded the people to believe ridiculous tales, when they themselves were the murderers of the king.

....

Quote:

Julius Proculus by name, presented himself in the forum; and, taking a most sacred oath, protested before them all, that, as he was travelling on the road, he had seen Romulus coming to meet him, looking taller and comelier than ever, dressed in shining and flaming armour;

Here are the other accounts in the same passage:

Quote:

his is like some of the Greek fables of Aristeas the Proconnesian, and Cleomedes the Astypalaean; for they say Aristeas died in a fuller's workshop, and his friends coming to look for him, found his body vanished; and that some presently after, coming from abroad, said they met him travelling towards Croton.

....

Quote:

They say, too, the body of Alcmena, as they were carrying her to her grave, vanished, and a stone was found lying on the bier.

Ratel · 12-11-2003, 11:54 AM

Answered my own question- Aristeas and his disappearing corpse is related in Herodotus, Romulus' assumption is referred to in Cicero (De Republica) and also Livy, etc. Haven't tracked down the Alcmena story yet but appears to be quite old, as well.

Naturally, with all this stuff there's no telling if any Gospel writer was directly influenced by the tales but it does give another interesting glimpse of the types of beliefs floating around the Mediterranean at the time of their composition.

12-11-2003, 11:54 AM	#2
Ratel Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: SD, USA Posts: 268	Nevermind! Answered my own question- Aristeas and his disappearing corpse is related in Herodotus, Romulus' assumption is referred to in Cicero (De Republica) and also Livy, etc. Haven't tracked down the Alcmena story yet but appears to be quite old, as well. Naturally, with all this stuff there's no telling if any Gospel writer was directly influenced by the tales but it does give another interesting glimpse of the types of beliefs floating around the Mediterranean at the time of their composition.

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