_Scipio._ We must then, I suppose, imitate Aratus, who, when he prepared himself to treat of great things, thought himself in duty bound to begin with Jupiter.
_Laelius._ Wherefore Jupiter?
and what is there in this discussion which resembles that poem?
_Scipio._ Why, it serves to teach us that we cannot better commence our investigations than by invoking him whom, with one voice, both learned and unlearned extol as the universal king of all gods and men.
How so?
said Laelius.
Do you, then, asked Scipio, believe in nothing which is not before your eyes?
whether these ideas have been established by the chiefs of states for the benefit of society, that there might be believed to exist one Universal Monarch in heaven, at whose nod (as Homer expresses it) all Olympus trembles, and that he might be accounted both king and father of all creatures; for there is great authority, and there are many witnesses, if you choose to call all many, who attest that all nations have unanimously recognized, by the decrees of their chiefs, that nothing is better than a king, since they think that all the Gods are governed by the divine power of one sovereign; or if we suspect that this opinion rests on the error of the ignorant, and should be classed among the fables, let us listen to those universal testimonies of erudite men, who have, as it were, seen with their eyes those things to the knowledge of which we can hardly attain by report.
What men do you mean?
said Laelius.
Those, replied Scipio, who, by the investigation of nature, have arrived at the opinion that the whole universe [is animated] by a single Mind[311].

* * * XXXVII.

But if you please, my Laelius, I will bring forward evidences which are neither too ancient nor in any respect barbarous.
Those, said Laelius, are what I want.
_Scipio._ You are aware that it is now not four centuries since this city of ours has been without kings.
_Laelius._ You are correct; it is less than four centuries.
_Scipio._ Well, then, what are four centuries in the age of a state or city?
is it a long time?
_Laelius._ It hardly amounts to the age of maturity.
_Scipio._ You say truly; and yet not four centuries have elapsed since there was a king in Rome.
_Laelius._ And he was a proud king.
_Scipio._ But who was his predecessor?
_Laelius._ He was an admirably just one; and, indeed, we must bestow the same praise on all his predecessors as far back as Romulus, who reigned about six centuries ago.
_Scipio._ Even he, then, is not very ancient.
_Laelius._ No; he reigned when Greece was already becoming old.
_Scipio._ Agreed.

Was Romulus, then, think you, king of a barbarous people?
_Laelius._ Why, as to that, if we were to follow the example of the Greeks, who say that all people are either Greeks or barbarians, I am afraid that we must confess that he was a king of barbarians; but if this name belongs rather to manners than to languages, then I believe the Greeks were just as barbarous as the Romans.
Then Scipio said: But with respect to the present question, we do not so much need to inquire into the nation as into the disposition.

For if intelligent men, at a period so little remote, desired the government of kings, you will confess that I am producing authorities that are neither antiquated, rude, nor insignificant.
XXXVIII.