“Consilium summis hominum de rebus habebant.”
And, in particular, discussing what punishment ought to be inflicted on Rutilius Lupus, a considerable man in the Roman state, but noted for his wickedness and impiety, and so powerful that it is declared—
“Si conjuret, populus vix totus satis est.”
Jupiter expresses his regret that he had not been present at a former council of the gods, called to deliberate on this topic—
“Vellem concilio vestrûm, quod dicitis, olim,
Cælicolæ; vellem, inquam, adfuissem priore
Concilio.” ——
Jupiter having concluded, the subject is taken up by another of the gods, who, as Lactantius informs us, was Neptune[419]; but being puzzled with its intricacy, this divinity declares it could not be explained, were Carneades himself (the most clear and eloquent of philosophers) to be sent up to them from Orcus:
“Nec si Carneadem ipsum ad nos Orcus remittat.”
The only result of the solemn deliberations of this assembly is a decree, that each god should receive from mortals the title of father—