He knew well that Paganism, revived though it was, was not the universal worship that it had been; that it was now secretly resisted, and might soon be openly opposed, by the persecuted Christians throughout the Empire; and that if the young generation were to guard it successfully from all future encroachments, and to rise securely to its highest honours, more must be exacted from them than the easy attachment to the ancient religion require from the votaries of former days.

Then, the performance of the most important offices in the priesthood was compatible with the possession of military or political rank.

Now, it was to the temple, and to the temple only, that the future servant of the gods should be devoted.

Resolving thus, the father took care that all the son's occupations and rewards should, from his earliest years, be in some way connected with the career for which he was intended.

His childish pleasures were to be conducted to sacrifices and auguries; his childish playthings and prizes were images of the deities.