12
There existed, then, in time gone by (for if I begin there it will be easier to see whether I have done any wrong in my alterations and innovations with regard to men) there existed, as I say, only the divine, the heavenly race. The earth was a rude and ugly thing all shaggy with woods, and wild woods at that, and there were no divine altars or temples—how could there be?—or images or anything else of the sort, though they are now to be seen in great numbers everywhere, honoured with every form of observance. But as I am always planning something for the common good and considering how the condition of the gods may be improved and everything else may increase in order and in beauty, it occurred to me that it would be a good idea to take a little bit of clay and create a few living things, making them like us in appearance; for I thought that divinity was not quite complete in the absence of its counterpart, comparison with which would show divinity to be the happier state. This should be mortal, I thought, but highly inventive and intelligent and able to appreciate what was better.
13
And then, “water and earth intermingling,” in the words of the poet,Hesiod, Works and Days 61. and kneading them, I moulded men, inviting Athena, moreover, to give me a hand in the task. Therein lies the great wrong I have done the gods, and you see what the penalty is for making creatures out of mud and imparting motion to that which was formerly motionless. From that time on, it would seem, the gods are less of gods because on earth a few mortal creatures have come into being! Indeed, Zeus is actually as angry as though the gods were losing caste through the creation of men. Surely he doesn’t’ fear that they will plot an insurrection against him and make war on the gods as the Giants did?
