Book VII

Whether, since it is evident that Deity is not to be found in the civil theology, we are to believe
that it is to be found in the select gods.

Who are the select gods, and whether they are held to be exempt from the offices of the
commoner gods.

How there is no reason which can be shown for the selection of certain gods, when the
administration of more exalted offices is assigned to many inferior gods.

Concerning the more secret doctrine of the pagans, and concerning the physical interpretations.

Concerning the opinion of Varro, that God is the soul of the world, which nevertheless, in its
various parts, has many souls whose nature is divine.

Whether it is reasonable to separate Janus and Terminus as two distinct deities.

For what reason the worshippers of Janus have made his image with two faces, when they
would sometimes have it be seen with four.

Concerning the power of Jupiter, and a comparison of Jupiter with Janus.

Whether the distinction between Janus and Jupiter is a proper one.

Concerning the surnames of Jupiter, which are referred not to many gods, but to one and the
same god.

That Jupiter is also called Pecunia.

That when it is expounded what Saturn is, what Genius is, it comes to this, that both of them
are shown to be Jupiter.

Concerning the offices of Mercury and Mars.

Concerning certain stars which the pagans have called by the names of their gods.

Concerning Apollo and Diana, and the other select gods whom they would have to be parts
of the world.

That even Varro himself pronounced his own opinions regarding the gods ambiguous.

A more credible cause of the rise of pagan error.

Concerning the interpretations which compose the reason of the worship of Saturn.

Concerning the rites of Eleusinian Ceres.

Concerning the shamefulness of the rites which are celebrated in honour of Liber.

Concerning Neptune and Salacia, and Venilia.

Concerning the earth, which Varro affirms to be a goddess, because that soul of the world
which he thinks to be God pervades also this lowest part of his body, and imparts to it a divine
force.

The interpretation of the mutilation of Atys which the doctrine of the Greek sages set forth.

Concerning the abomination of the sacred rites of the Great Mother.

That the doctrine of Varro concerning theology is in no part consistent with itself.

That all things which the physical theologists have referred to the world and its parts, they
ought to have referred to the one true God.

How piety distinguishes the Creator from the creatures, so that, instead of one God, there are
not worshipped as many gods as there are works of the one author.

What benefits God gives to the followers of the truth to enjoy over and above His general
bounty.

That at no time in the past was the mystery of Christ’s redemption awanting, but was at all
times declared, though in various forms.

That only through the Christian religion could the deceit of malign spirits, who rejoice in the
errors of men, have been manifested.

Concerning the books of Numa Pompilius, which the senate ordered to be burned, in order that
the causes of sacred rites therein assigned should not become known.