I originally wrote this series of blog posts when I was working off of WordPress and since I have now finally gotten my blog set back up, I decided I would revisit these posts and expand upon them. So I will be slowly revisiting these posts and republishing them. However, before we can begin to discuss the popular work of Sallustius, On the Gods and the World, it is necessary to have somewhat of an idea of who Sallustius was. 

Sallustius was born to a Roman family in Gaul and was removed from Gaul by Constantius II. When Julian became the Sole Emperor of Rome, he raised Salustius to Praetorian Prefect of the Orient. Sallustius was a student of Adesius, who was a student of the Divine Iamblichus which led him to write ‘On the Gods and the World’ also known as ‘On the Gods and the Cosmos’. It is my opinion that this work, however small, can set the framework and foundation of a sincere spiritual practice. This work survived in full and at first glance appears obscure but when the time is taken to comprehend the work, it sets the seeker on a solid foundation upon which to build. The work itself was translated into English during the 17th Century and given the name ‘On the Gods and the Cosmos’.   

Student of Religion

Chapter I - On the Gods and the World

“What the Prerequisites are which an Auditor concerning the Gods ought to posses and of Common Conceptions.”

“It is requisite that those who are willing to hear concerning the gods should have been well-informed from their childhood, and not nourished with foolish opinions. It is likewise necessary that they should be naturally prudent and good, that they may receive, and properly understand, the discourses which they hear. The knowledge likewise of common conceptions is necessary; but common conceptions are such things as all men, when interrogated, acknowledge to be indubitably certain; such as, that every god is good, without passivity, and free from all mutation; for everything which is changed, is either changed into something better or into something worse: and if into something worse, it will become depraved, but if into something better, it must have been evil in the beginning.”

We can see from the title itself that we are concerned about the prerequisites, or those things that are required of an individual to become an Auditor of the Gods. However, it is unclear as to what the term Auditor means in this context, at least from the title. This does become clear when you read the first sentence of the chapter and see that the word Auditor is speaking of someone willing to learn and to become a student. 

Sallustius tells us that it is better for a student of the Gods, to be educated on the Gods from their early childhood and not on superstitions or foolish beliefs. To put this in perspective, if we look at people who convert to Hellenism, or any form of Paganism today, they tend to come from some form of Christian upbringing. This is normally accompanied by some form of trauma and depending upon how devout their upbringing was, how much trauma they carry. So many are never able to escape the Monotheist mindset or ever able to truly adapt to Polytheism. This is different from the subject who is brought up with proper education on the Gods and Philosophy. These individuals are brought up with a solid understanding of the Gods and the purpose of Religion at an early age. 

It is also necessary that the individual be a good student. The student will be required to grasp and understand the deeper and hidden context of the material rather than take it at face value like so many people tend to do today. They will need good judgment as they encounter the various philosophical, ethical, and moral teachings. This builds upon the student's foundation and understanding of the beliefs, practices, and core philosophies within different traditions. Good judgment will also serve the student to navigate the lessons within their own lives and their interactions with others throughout their lives.

When someone takes up the path and becomes a student of the Gods at an early age, they can better navigate this world that we reside in. They will be able to better cultivate a life of virtue and navigate from vice. This is important to learn at an early age, as what is good for the soul is not always good for the body. 

It is also crucial that the student learn the historical and cultural contexts in which the various Gods and religious beliefs sprung forth. Beginning at an early age, they can appreciate the complexities and diversity of religious thought and practice. The student, as a young person, will be able to analyze the different religious teachings, mythologies, and rituals to gain a deeper understanding and find the hidden truths. 

Anyone who has come into Hellenism, or any form of Paganism, from another religion can attest that they remain burdened by their childhood beliefs. This creates roadblocks for these individuals that must be overcome and creates setbacks for their beliefs. However, the student must be able to agree with certain truths that are common knowledge, or at least should be, and aren’t in this modern world. The student should understand and agree that the Gods are good and free of change. For if anything that is changed for the worse will become depraved and if it becomes better, must have been evil to start. 

Although Sallustius tells us that it is important that the student begin their studies at an early age, it is not impossible to begin later in life. It will however be far more difficult to do so, as humans are creatures of habit, and as adults, we have set our habits in place. These habits will be far more difficult to overcome the longer into adulthood we go as time passes. 

-Dion