Symposium Sive Convivium Decem Virginum

Methodius of Olympus

Translated by William R. Clark

87 chapters · about 3 h

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The opening

Introduction.

Euboulios. You have arrived most seasonably, Gregorion, for I have just been looking for you, wanting to hear of the meeting of Marcella and Theopatra, and of the other virgins who were present at the banquet, and of the nature of their discourses on the subject of chastity; for it is said that they argued with such ability and power that there was nothing lacking to the full consideration of the subject. If, therefore, you have come here for any other purpose, put that off to another time, and do not delay to give us a complete and connected account of the matter of which we are inquiring.

Gregorion. I seem to be disappointed of my hope, as some one else has given you intelligence beforehand on the subject respecting which you ask me. For I thought that you had heard nothing of what had happened, and I was flattering myself greatly with the idea that I should be the first to tell you of it. And for this reason I made all haste to come here to you, fearing the very thing which has happened, that some one might anticipate me.

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About this edition

The words
William R. Clark's English translation, copied word for word.
Copied from

Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Ante-Nicene Fathers VI

Left out
  • The title page and opening pages before chapter 1
  • Printed ornaments and dividers, in 2 places
  • Pictures and their captions
  • Other material that isn't the author's
  • Other works printed in the same volume
  • Page numbers and running heads from the printed pages