04-09-2014, 03:48 AM
In 405 AD, for reasons unknown, Stilicho ordered the destruction of the Sibylline Books. Rutilius Namatianus, De Reditu 51–60 writes:
“Wherefore more bitter is the crime of cursed Stilicho in that he was betrayer of the Empire's secret. As he strove to live longer than the Roman race, his cruel frenzy turned the world upside down, and, while fearing that wherein he had made himself formidable, he let loose the arms of the barbarians to the death of Latium: he plunged an armed foe in the naked vitals of the land, his craft being freer from risk than that of openly inflicted disaster. Even Rome lay exposed to his skin-clad menials captive ere she could be captured. Nor was it only through Gothic arms that the traitor made his attack: ere this he burned the fateful books which brought the Sibyl's aid.”
I wonder what this secret is that Stilicho betrays to the enemy. Some scholars believe that it concerns Rome’s secret name being revealed. Stilicho also burns the Sibylline books, which legend has it was bought from an old woman by Tarquinius Superbus. Was Stilicho a Christian?
Censorinus makes the claim that Rome had the protection of the gods for 1200 years. Taking Rome’s founding date of 753 BC, in 410 AD this amounts to 1163 years, which is 37 years short of the 1200 year protection offered by the gods. However, Rome also has another date, and that is when Rome was conceived. According to the primary sources, Rome was conceived 64 years before its founding date. Therefore, by adding 64 years to Rome’s traditional founding date of 753 BC produces the year 817 BC. Timeaus gives Rome’s founding date at 814 BC and here it becomes clear that Timaeus has confused Rome’s date of conception as Rome’s founding date. This would mean by adding 64 years to 753 BC, the period from 817 BC to 410 AD represents 1227 years. According to my research the 1200 year protection of the gods is a rounded number and from my calculations, the protection of the gods ends a couple of years before Rome is sacked, so I am wondering if Stilicho made this information available to Rome’s enemies. This is either one amazing coincidence or there is another story that needs telling.
“Wherefore more bitter is the crime of cursed Stilicho in that he was betrayer of the Empire's secret. As he strove to live longer than the Roman race, his cruel frenzy turned the world upside down, and, while fearing that wherein he had made himself formidable, he let loose the arms of the barbarians to the death of Latium: he plunged an armed foe in the naked vitals of the land, his craft being freer from risk than that of openly inflicted disaster. Even Rome lay exposed to his skin-clad menials captive ere she could be captured. Nor was it only through Gothic arms that the traitor made his attack: ere this he burned the fateful books which brought the Sibyl's aid.”
I wonder what this secret is that Stilicho betrays to the enemy. Some scholars believe that it concerns Rome’s secret name being revealed. Stilicho also burns the Sibylline books, which legend has it was bought from an old woman by Tarquinius Superbus. Was Stilicho a Christian?
Censorinus makes the claim that Rome had the protection of the gods for 1200 years. Taking Rome’s founding date of 753 BC, in 410 AD this amounts to 1163 years, which is 37 years short of the 1200 year protection offered by the gods. However, Rome also has another date, and that is when Rome was conceived. According to the primary sources, Rome was conceived 64 years before its founding date. Therefore, by adding 64 years to Rome’s traditional founding date of 753 BC produces the year 817 BC. Timeaus gives Rome’s founding date at 814 BC and here it becomes clear that Timaeus has confused Rome’s date of conception as Rome’s founding date. This would mean by adding 64 years to 753 BC, the period from 817 BC to 410 AD represents 1227 years. According to my research the 1200 year protection of the gods is a rounded number and from my calculations, the protection of the gods ends a couple of years before Rome is sacked, so I am wondering if Stilicho made this information available to Rome’s enemies. This is either one amazing coincidence or there is another story that needs telling.
