Source edition
Lucian, Vol. 2. Harmon, Austin Morris, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1915.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a satirical dialogue depicting a great commotion across both heaven and earth over the existence of the gods and divine providence (pronoia). The story begins when Zeus, the king of the gods, falls into a crisis of survival upon learning that Damis, an Epicurean philosopher, has challenged the existence of the gods, while Timocles, a Stoic, attempts to defend them in Athens. Zeus urgently summons the gods to an assembly, which is immediately thrown into chaos over seating arrangements and faced with harsh criticism from Momus, who argues that the gods brought this disbelief upon themselves by ignoring earthly injustices. Unable to find a proper solution, the gods resort to opening the gates of heaven to watch the philosophical debate unfolding below. On Earth, Timocles tries to prove divine providence using the order of the cosmos and the words of poets, but Damis thoroughly refutes him by pointing out the world's deep contradictions, leading a defeated Timocles to resort to violence. The gods look on from above with cynical resignation, concluding their dialogue as they realize their very existence depends on the fragile beliefs of mortals.